There is good news and bad news in the latest report on Alabama drought conditions.
The good news: Drought decreased in several areas this week.
Bad news: Level 2 drought conditions expanded in the state.
The latest drought report comes from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The information is compiled weekly ending on Tuesdays, and the report is released on Thursdays.
So this week’s report doesn’t reflect rain that fell on Wednesday.
This week’s report shows sizable parts of north Alabama being ruled-drought free. But Level 3 out of 4 drought conditions continued to hang on in west Alabama and even appeared in a small area in southeast Alabama.
There are five categories of drought, ranging from Level 0 (on the verge of drought) to Level 4 (exceptional).
Here are some of the stats from this week’s report:
12.78 percent of Alabama is now considered drought-free, an increase from 6.43 percent last week.87.22 percent of Alabama is either in a drought or on the verge of being in drought, a decrease from 93.57 percent last week.39.98 percent of the state is now in Level 2 (severe) drought, an increase from 26.54 percent last week.5.08 percent of Alabama is in Level 3 (extreme) drought, a decrease from 10 percent last week.No part of the state is in Level 4 (exceptional) drought.
The driest parts of the state remain in western Alabama, including parts of Marengo, Hale, Clarke, Choctaw, Wilcox, Greene, Hale, Perry, Dallas and Tuscaloosa counties.
Added this week is a small area of Level 3 drought in southern Houston County in southeast Alabama.
Much of southeast Alabama was in Level 2 drought this week, and Level 1 drought extended northward into central Alabama.
Next week’s drought report will reflect Wednesday’s rain, and more rain will be possible starting on Sunday and possibly lasting into the first part of next week.
Here is the seven-day rainfall outlook:
Most of Alabama could get some rain through Nov. 5. Northeast Alabama could get the most.NWS
According to the above forecast northeast Alabama could see the most rain through next week, with an inch or so possible.
Lesser amounts will be possible for the rest of the state, and unfortunately some of the Level 3 drought areas may not get any rain.
The forecast after next week could be on the drier side for at least part of the state.
The eight- to 14-day precipitation outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center shows increased probabilities (33-40 percent) for below-average rainfall for north and west Alabama from Nov. 6-12:
The Alabama areas in tan will have a 33-40 percent probability of below-average rainfall from Nov. 6-12.CPC
South and east Alabama could have near-average rainfall during that same time frame.
The next report from the U.S. Drought Monitor is set to be released Nov. 6.
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