🌵 North Carolina Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for North Carolina. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D3
Dominant
North Carolina is in Extreme Drought
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of North Carolina's land area in each drought category.
100%
100%
97%
65%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Extreme drought conditions currently affect 65.05% of North Carolina, with 100% of the state classified as abnormally dry and 96.86% experiencing severe drought. Additionally, 3.48% of the area is under exceptional drought status. Overall, approximately 265.4% of the state is experiencing moderate drought or worse, indicating widespread water stress.
Water users are facing significant challenges due to these drought conditions. Reservoir storage levels have dropped, leading to mandatory water restrictions in several municipalities. Agricultural sectors are particularly impacted, with crops suffering from inadequate moisture, and livestock producers struggling with feed shortages. River flows have also diminished, affecting both ecological health and water supply for communities relying on surface water sources.
Water users are facing significant challenges due to these drought conditions. Reservoir storage levels have dropped, leading to mandatory water restrictions in several municipalities. Agricultural sectors are particularly impacted, with crops suffering from inadequate moisture, and livestock producers struggling with feed shortages. River flows have also diminished, affecting both ecological health and water supply for communities relying on surface water sources.