State climatologist: north Georgia needs new normal rain measure

The state’s climatologist says the way average rainfall is calculated in north Georgia may have to change because of persistent drought in the region. 50 inches of rainfall in the metro Atlanta area has long been considered normal. But University of Georgia professor David Stooksbury says for eight of the last 11 years, the region has felt less than 50 inches annually. Stooksbury says for many a reference point is the period of time from the end of World War II to the late 1970’s. He says that period was an abnormal period in climate--abnormally wet.

Drought worsening across state

The designation of 'exceptional' drought has returned to northeast Georgia, while the southeast portion of the state has now slipped into drought. A new report from the state’s climatologist says some scattered, strong thunderstorms during July brought only localized relief to areas. The ‘exceptional’ category--drought conditions seen only once in 50 to 100 years--is now in place for 16 northeast Georgia counties. ‘Extreme’ drought conditions still exist for 13 north Georgia counties. David Stooksbury is Georgia’s climatologist.

"What we can expect as the summer continues is at least continued slow dropping of water levels across the state, unless we have a series of tropical weather events".

Stooksbury says even the six counties of coastal Georgia are classified as ‘abnormally dry’.

Ongoing drought may mean re-tightening the faucet

Lake Allatoona, north of Atlanta: bridge over troubled waters (Dave Bender/file)

Environmental Protection Division chief Carol Couch, said Wednesday the state's deepening drought may force her to tighten a range of water restrictions loosened earlier this year.

Couch says she will evaluate water use in the state next month, and decide whether to impose new restrictions for the dozens of communities in north Georgia where some watering limits have been relaxed.

The announcement came as state climatologist David Stooksbury declared that soaring summer temperatures and light rainfall have plunged more of Georgia into drought conditions.

Couch has faced criticism from some environmentalists who say relaxing water restrictions during the drought could send conflicting messages about the state's water crisis and set the stage for tighter limits in the fall. But Couch is also under pressure from agriculture groups, who fear a new round of conservation measures could cripple their industry.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought, and it's effects on Georgia.

State officials consider water restriction rollback

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and some other state officials are considering a plan that would ease outdoor watering restrictions in Georgia.

The proposal would allow homeowners to water their lawns and gardens at certain times, after successful completion of a short online water conservation course. Landscape professionals could also take a similar course, which could lead to limited irrigation.

But the state’s climatologist in his latest drought update says officials might need to consider even tougher restrictions as summer approaches, not a rollback. David Stooksbury says an "exceptional" designation remains for areas west and north of the Chattahoochee River.

Since late September, 61 north Georgia counties have been under an outdoor watering ban. It prohibits all outdoor water use, including filling swimming pools and washing cars. Lake Lanier, which feeds drinking water to more than three million people in the region, has hit record-low levels since November.

Dreary outlook for Georgia's drought

Today Georgia state climatologist Dr. David Stooksbury predicted a warmer and drier winter for the state. He also offered little hope drought-stricken water resources will fully recharge before next summer.

State Climatologist David Stooksbury says the exceptional drought gripping most of the state won't end anytime soon. Speaking with reporters at the University of Georgia, Stooksbury said odds are it will be a warmer than normal winter with below normal rainfall. He says, "The strength of a La Nina pattern, now forming in the Pacific will determine just how much or little rain falls in the southeast in the coming weeks."

Going into next summer, Stooksbury believes reservoirs, such as Lake Lanier won't be fully recharged over the winter remaining lower than normal with some recording all-time lows.

Drought "exceptional" in nearly half of Georgia counties

In almost half of the counties in Georgia, the drought has now reached levels seen only once every 100 years. The state’s climatologist says drought conditions in 70 of the 159 counties in Georgia are classified as "exceptional". Those areas are experiencing widespread crop losses, and water levels in reservoirs and streams low enough to constitute a water emergency. Only four counties have been spared drought conditions-- Laurens, Montgomery, Treulten and Wheeler.

More of Georgia in extreme drought

The state's climatologist said Monday that nine more Georgia counties have been designated as in "extreme drought". That now brings the total to 104 counties in Georgia.

David Stooksbury says routine temperatures of between 100 to 105 degrees should be expected for much of the state this summer if dry conditions persist. Without rain from tropical storms in July and August, he says there's little hope for the drought to be broken. Aside from the 104 counties in "extreme drought", another 38 are labeled as in "severe drought".