Drought Information Statement for Central North Carolina 
Valid March 14, 2025
Issued By: NWS Raleigh
Contact Information: 
This is the last Drought Information Statement until Severe Drought (D2) conditions redevelop.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/RAH/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements.
Questions or comments can be sent to barrett.smith@noaa.gov 


Recent locally heavy rainfall across southern NC has helped improve rainfall deficits and the severe drought conditions.

Moderate Drought (D1) and Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions continue across the rest of central NC.

1

Current Drought Conditions
Graphic Courtesy of the North Carolina State Climate Office

Current Drought Conditions
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map and One-Week Change

Main Takeaways
Moderate Drought (D1) conditions remain across much of southern and  eastern North Carolina
Image Caption: 
Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST March 11th.
Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EST March 11th. 
Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT June 1st.
Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EDT June 1st. 

Observed Precipitation


Main Takeaways
A storm system that moved across North Carolina on Wednesday, March 5th produced up to 1-1.5 inches of rain from the southern Piedmont to the southern coastal (14 day rainfall and percent of normal shown above).


Latest 7-Day Rainfall and Percent of Normal Rainfall

Image Captions: 
Left - Precipitation Amount for NC
Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for NC
Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service
Data over the past 14 days ending March 14, 2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-30-day-precipitation_-percent-of-prism-normal-appalachia.png
https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-nwps-30-day-precipitation-accumulations-(inches)-appalachia.png



Observed Precipitation


Main Takeaways
There are still rainfall deficits across portions of southern and eastern North Carolina in the past 30 days or longer.



Latest 30-Day Rainfall and Percent of Normal Rainfall

Image Captions: 
Left - Precipitation Amount for NC
Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for NC
Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service
Data over the past 30 days ending March 13, 2025
https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-30-day-precipitation_-percent-of-prism-normal-appalachia.png
https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-nwps-30-day-precipitation-accumulations-(inches)-appalachia.png



Precipitation Forecast


Next 7 days: 

A strong cold front will move through the region Sunday, bringing a chance of non-convective strong winds, severe storms, and flooding.


Widespread rainfall of at least one half inch is expected and higher amounts up of over one inch are possible across much of the area.




Image Caption: 
Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid Friday March 14 to Friday March 21, 2025 
Latest 7-Day Precipitation Forecast


8-14 Day Outlook

Temperature and Precipitation Outlook


Main Takeaways

There is a 40-60% chance of above normal temperatures in Days 8-14 across central North Carolina.

There are slightly increased chances (33-40%) of above normal precipitation in Days 8-14.


Possible Impact

Potential for continued improvement in drought conditions.

Image Captions: 
Left - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. 
Right - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook.
Valid March 21 -27, 2025

Weeks 3-4 Outlook


Temperature and Precipitation Outlook


Main Takeaways
There are equal chances of above or below normal precipitation across essentially all of central North Carolina.

Likewise there are equal chances of above or below normal temperatures.


Possible Impact
There is no clear signal for wet or dry conditions heading into early April.   However the main storm track should generally be through the Midwest, bringing weather systems into the region and some chances for rain.

Image Captions: 
Left - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. 
Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook.
Valid March 22-April 4, 2025