Drought Monitor Update — Thursday July 16, 2026

Last Updated on July 16, 2026 3:58 pm

North Carolina's drought showed significant improvement this week, with Extreme Drought (D3) dropping from 46 to 38 counties. For the first time since the drought began intensifying in March, four counties have improved to Abnormally Dry (D0) — the lightest classification on the drought scale.

In the High Country, all six counties are now back at Severe Drought (D2). Wilkes and Alleghany counties both improved from Extreme Drought (D3) to D2 this week, joining Watauga, Ashe, Avery, and Caldwell. No High Country county is at D3 or higher for the first time since early April.

Exceptional Drought (D4) dipped from 9 to 8 counties as Granville improved to D3. Camden, Currituck, Hyde, and Madison became the first counties to reach D0 — Abnormally Dry — since the drought escalation began.

The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows all 100 counties still experiencing some level of drought or abnormally dry conditions.

Drought categories are based on streamflow, groundwater levels, the amount of water stored in reservoirs, soil moisture, the time of year, and other relevant factors for assessing the extent and severity of dry conditions.

D4 – Exceptional Drought

Total: 8

D3 – Extreme Drought

Total: 38

D2 – Severe Drought

Total: 37

D1 – Moderate Drought

Total: 13

D0 – Abnormally Dry

Total: 4

Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.

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