Drought worsens in Triangle after week of heat

The state's drought conditions have worsened in the past week, according to the U.S Drought Monitor.

For much of the spring, the Triangle was classified as abnormally dry. But this week, the Triangle returned to moderate drought conditions, the least intensive of four categories of drought.

Eastern portions of the state that had no drought are now abnormally dry.

In the west, where the drought is the worst, extreme drought conditions have spread. Last week, 16 percent of the state, or 28 counties, were in extreme drought conditions. This week, 21 percent, or 32 counties, are labeled as such.

Mike Moneypenny, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh, said the extreme heat has affected the area.

"We've been 10 to 15 degrees above normal temperatures, and the low humidity dried out soils a great deal," he said. "We're starting to see impacts on agriculture. The upper soil took a licking from evaporation."

The lakes and water supplies, however, are in good shape right now, Moneypenny said, but rivers are low.

"Our deeper soil moisture never recharged over the winter, so we're seeing rivers fall below well where they should be," he said.

The forecast doesn't call for rain any time soon.

"We don't see any organized rain coming in," Moneypenny said.

The area has a decent shot of rain this weekend, but high pressure returns next week, meaning the area will be hot and dry, he said.

High pressure also prevents thunderstorms from developing, he said.

Moneypenny added that forecasts for the summer don't show whether the drought will persist.