Drought Information Statement for Central South Carolina and East Central Georgia Valid July, 11, 2024 Issued By: WFO Columbia, SC Contact Information: This product will be updated July, 18, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/cae/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Extreme Drought has developed across the Pee Dee of South Carolina. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor U.S. Drought Monitor for the Southeast Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Lee, Sumter and Clarendon counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Newberry, Saluda, Richland, Lexington, Calhoun, Aiken, Orangeburg counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): McCormick, Edgefield, Bamberg, Chesterfield counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Lancaster, Banwell, Fairfield, Lincoln, Columbia, Burke counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity 4-week change map for the Southeast Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Across portions of the central and eastern Midlands and Pee Dee Region. No Change: Across much of the Upstate, Piedmont and southern Midlands. Drought Improved: Beneficial rainfall to the Central Savannah River Area improved conditions along and west of the Savannah River from Lake Thurmond to Burke County, GA. Precipitation Widely scattered convection produced beneficial rainfall in some locations with other locations showing worsening conditions. Temperature Temperatures have been above normal across the Carolinas and Georgia over the past 30 days. The combination of higher than normal temperatures and below normal rainfall has continued to deteriorate drought conditions across much of the area. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows have been rapidly falling along the Lynches, Great Pee Dee, Pocotaligo, Black, and Edisto River Basins. The reduced streamflows have had a gradual impact in reservoir pool levels. However, most reservoirs are within the expected levels for mid-summer. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid MM DD YYYY Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has been rapidly drying across the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. The lack of rainfall combined with the above normal conditions has had a significant impact on the agricultural community across much of the eastern Midlands and Pee Dee region. Especially hard hit, has been the corn crop and pastures. Fire Hazard Impacts Due to the lack of rainfall and above normal temperatures, there is an Above Normal potential for Significant Wildland Fire across the eastern portion of South Carolina for July. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows continue to fall across the Carolinas and Georgia. This is also affecting reservoir pool levels as inflows to those projects continues to fall reducing lake levels. Agricultural Impacts Much of the Agricultural Community continue to report significant impacts. Corn and Pastures are showing the most impacts, with rainfall not enough to improve conditions. The U.S. Farm Service Agency in SC indicated many counties are looking at greater than 50 percent yield loss in corn. Soybean crops also suffering and need rainfall to improve conditions. Operators unable to plant double cropped soybeans due to the dry weather. Fire Hazard Impacts SC Forestry Commission reported 200 wildfires since June 1st burning more than 1,200 acres. This is a 77 percent higher than the state’s 10 year average. Mitigation Actions SC Department of Environmental Services reported that some water systems have implemented proactive measures to avoid supply issues. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Precipitation over the next 7 days will be confined to the eastern half of the Carolinas and Georgia. Some areas across the eastern Midlands have the potential to receive 0.5 - 1.00 inches. The heaviest rainfall is expected across the Pee Dee and Grand Strand. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. A gradual expansion of the current rapid onset drought is forecast over the southeast. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Outlook for the remainder of July indicates a continuation of Above Normal Temperatures along with a slightly better chance of Above Normal Precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Drought Outlook calls for the drought to continue across the Carolinas and much of Georgia through the remainder of July. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook