Drought Information Statement
For East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southwest North Carolina
Valid September 19, 2024
Issued By: WFO Morristown, TN
Contact Information: sr-mrx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated in the next week 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/mrx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 



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U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the NWS Morristown CWA
Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None.
D3 (Extreme Drought): Southern Cumberland Plateau.
D2 (Severe Drought): Southeast Tennessee and Southwest North Carolina.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of the region.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Almost area-wide.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 1-week change map for the Southern Appalachians
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Most locations across the Cumberland Plateau and Tennessee Valley.
 
No Change: Southwest Virginia.

Drought Improved: None.


Precipitation
Precipitation has been below normal.






Temperature
Temperatures have been near normal over the past 4 weeks.


Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
Stream flows are below normal for most locations.

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture is below normal for agriculture. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Tennessee Forestry has reported little to no fire activity.

Other Impacts
Stay tuned for future updates.

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.  Continue to abide by any local burning bans and regulations.
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Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Streamflows have improved over much of the area.

Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map.

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture has improved.
Recent dry weather has resulted in some drier soil conditions over the past week.


Fire Hazard Impacts

Latest TN Burn Ban map available here.

Latest VA Burn Ban map available here.

Latest NC Burn Ban information available here.


Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.



Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Limited rainfall is expected over the next 7 days.
A quarter of an inch or less is most likely for a majority of the area.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook.
Worsening drought is expected.
Dry weather will continue over the next two-week period.


Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Equal chances of above/below normal temperatures and above/below normal rainfall.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions will persist or likely worsen during the next week.
This graphic will be updated at the end of the month for the October period.
Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook