Drought Information Statement for Central South Carolina and East Central Georgia Valid July, 26, 2024 Issued By: WFO Columbia, SC Contact Information: This product will be updated August 1, 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 continues across the Pee Dee of South Carolina with severe drought across much of the Midlands. Although the area of both extreme and severe drought diminished slightly over the past 7 days. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest 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, Orangeburg counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): McCormick, Aiken, Edgefield, Bamberg, Chesterfield counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Lancaster, Barnwell, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lincoln, Columbia counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for the Southeast Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Improved: Across portions of Burke and Lincoln counties. No Change: Across most of South Carolina. Precipitation Widely scattered convection produced beneficial rainfall across much of the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area. Some portions of the eastern Midlands still showing below average precipitation. Temperature While the seven day temperature anomaly has not been as significant as the 30 day, a prolonged period of higher than normal temperatures and below normal rainfall has allowed the drought to persist. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows have improved across many river basins in the Midlands. Especially across the Stevens Creek, Congaree and portions of the Catawba River Basin. Flows remain reduced along the Edisto River and Lynches 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 07/25/2024 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has improved across much of the Midlands and Central Savannah River Area. Soil moisture is slightly above normal across the central Midlands and southern CSRA. The remainder of the area has soil moisture conditions that are close to normal. Even with the recent rainfall, corn and pasture crops have been especially hard hit by the dry and hot conditions. 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 have improved across portions of the Carolinas and Georgia. Most reservoir pool levels are close to their guide curves for the middle of summer. Pool levels are slightly lower along the Savannah River Lakes. Agricultural Impacts Much of the Agricultural Community emphasized that the recent rainfall was too little too late for many of the area farmers. Row crop producers have been greatly affected by the drought, this includes corn and pasture conditions. Soybean, cotton and peanuts will possibly see reduced production. However, recent rainfall gives hope to certain producers to still make a crop for those commodities. Fire Hazard Impacts SC Forestry Commission for the week ending July 21st, responded to 22 wildfires that burned just over 77 acres. Due to the recent rainfall, fire occurrence has been lower and much closer to normal levels. Mitigation Actions SC Department of Environmental Services reported that some water systems have implemented proactive measures to avoid supply issues. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The weather pattern looks to be in a more typical summer-time pattern over the next 7 days. Precipitation amounts will be lower than the past 7 days, but amounts should range from 0.50 inch up to 1.00 inch with afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms each day. 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 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 improve or end in areas over the next 3 months. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook