North Carolina drought tracker: Latest restrictions, water levels and drought impacts

Drought conditions continue to intensify across North Carolina, with nine counties now classified in exceptional drought, the most severe category used by drought monitors.

According to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council, eight counties in the Triangle and eastern Triad were classified in exceptional drought based on conditions observed between July 7 and July 14. Brunswick County also remains in the state's highest drought category. Another 38 counties are in extreme drought, 37 counties are in severe drought and 13 counties are in moderate drought. Four counties are considered abnormally dry.

Despite recent rainfall, state officials say precipitation deficits that have been building since last fall remain a major concern.

"Raleigh still has a 16-inch deficit since August, even with decent rain in the last week," said Linwood Peele, supervisor of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Water Resources Water Supply Planning Branch. "One or two nice rains doesn't fix 10 months of little to no rainfall."

Reservoirs across North Carolina continue to sit below normal levels, according to officials. The NC State Climate Office reports Wilmington is more than 21 inches below its normal rainfall total for the same period. Streamflow and groundwater levels also remain below average in many parts of the state.

Officials are encouraging water systems in exceptional and extreme drought areas to follow water shortage response plans and conservation measures. Residents are urged to check with their local water providers for any water-use restrictions that may be in effect.

The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council updates the state's drought map each Thursday based on conditions observed through the previous Tuesday.

While dangerous heat remains the immediate concern, the forecast offers some encouraging signs for areas dealing with dry conditions.

A Heat Advisory may be needed again Saturday, but forecasters are also tracking a Level 2 risk for isolated strong storms during the evening. Rain chances increase further Sunday as a cold front moves south into North Carolina, bringing more widespread showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and evening.

That front is expected to slow down or stall near the region Monday, keeping additional rounds of scattered showers and storms in the forecast. Forecasters are also monitoring the potential for tropical moisture to move northward early next week, which could boost rainfall totals if it materializes.

While rainfall amounts remain uncertain, the setup could provide some much-needed moisture to drought-stricken areas after a stretch of hot and dry weather. Residents should continue to monitor the forecast as confidence in next week's rainfall potential increases.

New NC drought map reveals that the widespread moderate-to-heavy rain over the last week resulted in improvements for portions of Wake Co. and a few areas east of the Triangle.

SEE ALSO | North Carolina drought tracker: Latest restrictions, water levels and drought impacts

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The drought persists in Central North Carolina as cities and towns do what they can to conserve water supply.

Wednesday, Siler City and the southwest area of Chatham County added their names to the list of areas implementing some

TriRiver water says the restrictions are voluntary for those areas due to the water level at the reservoir's water filtration facility being below 70% capacity.

Chatham County North district remains under a Stage 2 mandatory restriction.