Last Updated on June 25, 2026 1:19 pm
North Carolina's drought held mostly steady this week, with Exceptional Drought (D4) unchanged at 10 counties and Extreme Drought (D3) dipping slightly from 42 to 40 counties.
Cherokee and Cumberland counties improved from D3 to Severe Drought (D2) this week, the only notable changes statewide.
In the High Country, conditions are unchanged. Watauga, Ashe, and Wilkes counties remain in Extreme Drought (D3). Alleghany, Avery, and Caldwell counties remain in Severe Drought (D2).
The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows all 100 counties experiencing some level of drought.
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
Alamance
Caswell
Durham
Franklin
Granville
Guilford
Orange
Person
Rockingham
Wake
Total: 10
D3 – Extreme Drought
Alexander
Anson
Ashe
Bertie
Brunswick
Cabarrus
Chatham
Columbus
Davidson
Davie
Edgecombe
Forsyth
Graham
Greene
Halifax
Haywood
Iredell
Jackson
Johnston
Lee
Lenoir
Macon
Martin
Montgomery
Nash
Northampton
Pitt
Randolph
Richmond
Rowan
Scotland
Stanly
Stokes
Swain
Vance
Warren
Watauga
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Total: 40
D2 – Severe Drought
Alleghany
Avery
Beaufort
Bladen
Burke
Caldwell
Camden
Carteret
Catawba
Cherokee
Chowan
Clay
Cleveland
Craven
Cumberland
Currituck
Dare
Duplin
Gaston
Gates
Harnett
Henderson
Hertford
Hoke
Hyde
Jones
Lincoln
McDowell
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
Moore
New Hanover
Onslow
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Pender
Perquimans
Polk
Robeson
Rutherford
Sampson
Surry
Transylvania
Tyrrell
Union
Washington
Wayne
Yancey
Total: 48
D1 – Moderate Drought
Buncombe
Madison
Total: 2
Residents are strongly encouraged to continue water conservation efforts and stay informed about local drought conditions.
The post Drought Monitor Update — Thursday June 25, 2026 appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.