The drought continued to expand in North Georgia last week.
About 5 million North Georgia residents were in one of the two most serious drought categories Friday, according to Channel 2 Action News.
Areas in a “severe” drought, the third worst drought designation, have expanded by about 5 percent. Those in an “extreme” drought, the second most serious drought category, expanded 6 percent. And areas in the worst category, “exceptional” drought, expanded 1 percent in northwest and west Georgia, Channel 2 meteorologist Katie Walls said.
“Above average temperatures and below normal rainfall are to blame,” Walls said. “This pattern unfortunately is forecast to continue into January, according to the Climate Prediction Center.”
Conditions in Georgia as a whole are so dry that state officials issued the year's first drought alert to conserve water Sept. 9.
Water levels at Lake Lanier, Atlanta’s source of drinking water, dropped from about 1,064 feet last week to 1,063 feet Friday. The full pool level is 1,071 feet.
Rainfall last seven days: 0.03
Rainfall this month: 0.16
Rainfall deficit for the year: 7.91
Rainfall deficit since Sept. 1: 3.20
Values in inches as of end of day Thursday
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