Drought Information Statement
For East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Southwest North Carolina
Valid December 26, 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. 



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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): Parts of Plateau.
D2 (Severe Drought): Southeast Tennessee, Cherokee and Clay counties of North Carolina, and parts of the Cumberland Plateau.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of the northern Plateau, central and northeast Tennessee, and southwest Virginia.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee.

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: None
 
No Change: Most places outside of the central and southern Valley

Drought Improved: Much of the area saw improved drought conditions due to the recent rains.


Precipitation
Closer to normal precipitation has been occurring.






Temperature
Temperatures have been slightly 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 continue to be near normal for most locations.

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture is near 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 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 valid 12/27/2023.

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
Minimal precipitation is expected during the next 7 days.
A couple of systems will bring chances for light precipitation over the next week.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook.
No rapid drought onset is expected.
No significant risk of hazards in our area.


Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Equal chances for above or below normal temperatures in January.
Periods of above normal and below normal temperatures are expected.
We’ll be between below normal precipitation across the Ohio Valley and wetter than normal conditions across the Southeast U.S.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions have been steadily improving across the region. They will continue to improve or persist, but not get worse.
Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook