Widespread, soaking rains in two of the past three weekends this month have given the state a much-needed boost in combating the drought.
It could be called a good start. State climatologists are cautiously optimistic that drought-ravaged Georgia has received some bonus rain as spring and consistently warmer temperatures arrive soon.
More of the weekend’s widespread rain fell in north Georgia, where the drought’s effects have been most severe.
Assistant state climatologist Pam Knox says all this rain has been very beneficial for the state’s short-term needs:
The state’s reservoirs have seen the benefit. Lake Lanier in particular is at its highest level since October of 2007--more than 1,058 feet. Still, the north Georgia reservoir is around 11 feet below full pool.
Knox says Georgia still needs months of above-normal rainfall to make a big dent in ground water levels.
It could be called a good start. State climatologists are cautiously optimistic that drought-ravaged Georgia has received some bonus rain as spring and consistently warmer temperatures arrive soon.
More of the weekend’s widespread rain fell in north Georgia, where the drought’s effects have been most severe.
Assistant state climatologist Pam Knox says all this rain has been very beneficial for the state’s short-term needs:
"We’re going to see that all of the precipitation that falls from the end of March on, is going to be used immediately either by the plants or taken away by evaporation. So the last couple weeks is really critical for building up a bank account if you will of soil moisture."
The state’s reservoirs have seen the benefit. Lake Lanier in particular is at its highest level since October of 2007--more than 1,058 feet. Still, the north Georgia reservoir is around 11 feet below full pool.
Knox says Georgia still needs months of above-normal rainfall to make a big dent in ground water levels.
