This week’s rain didn’t help NC’s drought much. When’s our next chance?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Extreme drought now covers about 60% of North Carolina, per May 7 update.
- Recent rain totaled generally lower near Raleigh and up to 2.5 inches in Charlotte.
- State lifted burn ban for 19 Piedmont, Triad and foothill counties on May 8.
North Carolina saw soaking rain this week, but will it be enough to dent the statewide drought?
Extreme drought spread in North Carolina, now covering about 60% of the state, according to a new drought update released on Thursday, May 7.
“Last weekend’s rain slowed but didn’t totally stop the degradations, as parts of the northern Foothills and central Piedmont slipped into extreme drought,” according to the map.
The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council meets every Tuesday to assess the drought conditions, which involves releasing a drought map every Thursday. The rain the state experienced this week will be factored into the coming meeting and drought status.
“It is hard to say whether they make any changes, it usually takes a couple of inches to make a one category reduction but since this has been a very prolonged drought it is difficult to say whether they will make a substantial difference,” said Andrew Kren, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Raleigh Office.
How much rain did NC get this week?
Over Wednesday and Thursday, areas near Raleigh received anywhere from 0.5-1 inch of rain, while some of the areas in the southern part of the Triangle, including in Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina, saw 1-1.5 inches of rain, Kren said.
“Maybe a little bit less than we were expecting, but not too far off,” he said. “Some of higher totals were just a little bit to the south. Mostly in the Charlotte area and where they have several reports of 2.5 inches that were picked up.”
As of Tuesday, May 5, Raleigh was nearly 17 inches below its average rainfall as of August 2025, according to the State’s Climate Office.
North Carolina’s next best chance for rain
There could be some isolated showers, primarily to the south and east of the Triangle, on Saturday, Kren said. Temperatures should be in the low-to-mid-80s on Saturday.
But the next best chance of rain for the state and Triangle is likely on Monday, Kren said. The Triangle could see rain and embedded storms ahead of a cold front that is set to move into the area Monday afternoon and evening. Rain amount is forecasted from a quarter inch to half-inch, and, depending on timing, could start Sunday evening.
But Mother’s Day and graduation weekend should be relatively clear and pleasant.
“If something does occur it would be late Sunday night into early Monday night but better chances for Monday afternoon or evening,” Kren said.
The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting average rainfall and slightly above normal temperatures for May 14-20.
Statewide burn ban lifted
The state lifted its burn ban for 19 counties in the Piedmont, Triad and foothills as of 8 a.m. Friday, May 8. A statewide ban was ordered for all 100 North Carolina counties on Saturday, March 28. The ban was lifted for the first 81 counties earlier in the week.
“With the additional precipitation received this week, fire danger has improved for the western Piedmont, Triad and foothills,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler in a news release. “Still, we have a long way to go with drought recovery. While drought alone isn’t a hazardous forest fire condition, it can be a stressor that contributes to fires burning longer, more intensely and being more difficult to control.”
There have been 4,280 fires so far this year in North Carolina, burning more than 10,000 acres of land, according to the North Carolina Fire Service.
“Responsible, safe burning is critical all the time but especially during peak wildfire season,” Troxler said. “Pay attention to weather conditions and check fire danger before burning. Get a valid burn permit. Have a water source, shovel, rake and phone nearby. Stay with your fire until it is completely out and cold to the touch.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 2:06 PM.
