With long-term dryness entrenched in parts of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia and Florida, localized heavier rains, or lack thereof, played a large role in how conditions changed in the Southeast this week. Conditions were quickly drying in southern Virginia and parts of northern and western North Carolina and northern Georgia. Temperatures were also 5-10 degrees above normal in these areas this week. A few locations in eastern North Carolina received enough rainfall to lessen precipitation deficits and boost soil moisture. In contrast, drier weather in parts of south-central Virginia and the western Carolinas led to worsening precipitation deficits and lowered streamflows and soil moisture in some locales. Widespread improvements occurred in the Florida Peninsula and adjacent southeast Georgia following widespread heavy rains, locally totaling 4-6 inches. Remaining drought in northeast Florida is primarily long-term in nature, as most shorter-term drought impacts have stopped.

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