North Carolina is free from extreme drought in the latest advisory issued by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council today. 

DMAC classified five counties in severe drought, 30 counties in moderate drought and 47 counties as abnormally dry.   

“Widespread, heavy rainfall has resulted in a one-category improvement across most of the state,” said Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC. “While the deficits from June and early July have not been completely erased, conditions have improved significantly. The rains from this week should result in continued improvement.”  

For counties in severe drought, or D2, DMAC recommends water users should implement Water Shortage Response Plans, participate in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources, reexamine water delivery systems to minimize water loss and maximize efficiency and eliminate nonessential users of water. 

Counties in moderate drought, or D1, should adhere to local water use restrictions, and participate, as appropriate, in regional and local coordination for the management of water resources. 

Frequent heavy rain events reversed the recent drying trend and brought widespread improvements, including a sharp reduction in severe drought coverage. 

Long-awaited rainfall finally arrived last week and it brought 2 to 3 inches — with locally higher amounts — across much of the state. 

Surface water conditions have surged after the rain, although some western reservoirs haven’t seen much improvement yet. 

Topsoil moisture has also bounced back, but some deeper soils remain dry across the northwestern piedmont. 

Storms will continue through Friday as a cold front sags southward. 

Rainfall totals of an inch or more are possible across eastern North Carolina.

National Weather Service

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service Raleigh bureau said today a flood watch is in effect through this evening.

The NWS expects numerous showers today with the primary impact being heavy rain and flooding.

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A few stronger storms cannot be ruled out across the coastal plain.

A front is expected to move through the region late Friday.

The front is expected to bring less humid weather over the weekend and dry weather through Sunday.

Shower chances are increasing through next week, especially across the western piedmont.