Rain not enough to ease drought

DURHAM Meteorologists say the showers brought less than an inch of precipitation, and it's going to take a lot more than that to ease the drought that still grips the mountain area.

The drought is entering its third year. The National Weather Service says rainfall is below normal in the region.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Monday that annual rainfall measured at the Asheville Regional Airport was 35 ½ inches as of Sunday. That's 11 inches below normal. Rainfall also was below normal in 2007.