In the latest report from the US Drought Monitor just eight North Carolina counties are listed as being in moderate drought. At the end of December there were 65 - out of 100 counties in the state - that were classified as in moderate drought. The report released Thursday also lists 19 counties as abnormally dry.
Drought conditions often improve during the winter months because consumption by people and plants decreases. Winter precipitation combined with cooler air and less evaporation allows the water supply to increase.
The latest snap shot of drought conditions in the state lists Wake County as abnormally dry, which is an improvement from its previous classification of moderate drought. All eight of the counties experiencing moderate drought are near the South Carolina border.
