Of the state's 100 counties, 45 remain in "extreme" drought, the next to worst category of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Triangle counties fall into this category, which covers 18 percent of the state's area.

The number of counties in severe drought dropped from 37 last week to 35 this week. Seventeen counties are in moderate drought, up from 15 last week.

Only three counties -- Carteret, Dare and New Hanover -- are not experiencing drought. Instead, conditions in the three coast counties are considered "abnormally dry."

The state saw scant rainfall over the past week. The weather has been so dry, in fact, that the National Weather Service is warning of high fire danger today, with sustained winds up to 20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph this afternoon.