Little rain leads to worsening drought

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A lack of rainfall during August has supported the expansion of drought conditions across the Tennessee Valley.

No matter where you live, the lack of rain has impacted your county in some way.

The drought monitor from last week showed that the majority of our area was observing drought conditions while DeKalb and Marshall counties were observing ‘Abnormally Dry’ conditions.

The latest update released Thursday shows the expansion of both the ‘Moderate’ and ‘Severe’ drought in both Alabama and Tennessee. Counties highlighted in beige are experiencing a ‘Moderate Drought’ while those highlighted in orange are experiencing a ‘Severe Drought.’

The lack of rain and drought conditions has contributed to the enhanced fire risk. There has been an uptick in brush and field fires recently across North Alabama. Any rain we see will be very beneficial.

A low-pressure system along the Gulf Coast will lead to limited rain chances Friday.

With the position and track of this system being well south of the Tennessee Valley any rain activity will be light in intensity. Areas that are located along and south of the Tennessee River will have the greatest rain chance on Friday. The closer to the state line you live the lower your rain chance.

Unfortunately, this will not be the soaking rain we need. Rain totals are forecast to range from a trace to a quarter of an inch.

Lack Of Rainfall:

Before August, June was the driest month when 2.65 inches of rain was recorded.

After a wet start to July, a dry end continued into the first half of August. This dry pattern that the region saw stuck limiting the amount of rain the area received.

This began the rapid onset drought process the area is now seeing.

When looking at the consecutive number of days without rain from the end of July into August, they were significant. Huntsville and Muscle Shoals went nearly a month without measurable rainfall; a tenth of an inch or higher.

August has been the driest month of the year so far with most not recording an inch of rain for the month. This year was Huntsville’s ninth driest August on record with only 0.89 inches recorded. For Muscle Shoals, it was the tenth driest on record.

Following Friday’s rain chance, the weather pattern looks to turn dry with little to no rain in the forecast.

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