Drought Information Statement For East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southwest North Carolina Valid November 9, 2023 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. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the NWS Morristown CWA Drought conditions continue to worsen across the Tennessee Valley and Southern Appalachians. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Much of Marion, Hamilton, and parts of Sequatchie and Bradley counties. D3 (Extreme Drought): Southern Plateau, much of southeast, and parts of central Tennessee valley. D2 (Severe Drought): Much of the northern Plateau, central Tennessee valley, southeast Tennessee mountains, and southwest North Carolina. D1 (Moderate Drought): much of southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Small parts of southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee mountains. 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: Parts of the southern Plateau, southeast Tennessee, and parts of the northern Plateau. No Change: Rest of east Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and southwest North Carolina. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation Notably drier than normal conditions have been occurring across the region. Temperature Temperatures have been near to above normal during 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 remain low Agricultural Impacts Dry weather has hampered small grain and fall hay seedings. Pasture conditions declined this week. Soil moisture is lower than normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Tennessee Forestry reported an increase in fire activity across the entire area. Other Impacts Stay tuned for future updates as drought is likely to worsen in many areas. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. . Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows have been below normal to much below normal for most areas. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 11/8/2023 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is drier than normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire conditions are deteriorating across the entire area. 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 Some light precipitation is expected during the next 7 days – mainly on November 10th. Overall amounts will be low with little impact on drought improvement. Highest precipitation amounts will be across the Plateau, southeast Tennessee, and southwest North Carolina where ¼ to ½ inch is possible. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. No hazards posted. Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Monthly Precipitation Outlook. Valid MM YYYY Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation are favored over the next month. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought development is likely to continue this month.