Drought Affects Outdoor Activities

Image Courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor
November 2016
Yellow means Abnormally Dry,
Brown means Exceptional Drought

Drought conditions persist in South Carolina, particularly in the upstate. The prolonged dry spell has been in effect since Hurricane Matthew passed by on October 6, and is taking a toll on some common outdoor activities like planting fall crops and duck hunting. While drought is a natural cycle from Mother Nature, one silver lining of the dry spell is the dramatic transformation of the Lowcountry landscape with vibrant colors on the leaves of hardwood trees

            

The forecast of La Nina climate conditions calls for below normal precipitation levels to continue for the remainder of the year. The South Carolina Drought Response Committee and state climatologist Hope Mizzell will meet on December 1, and there is a chance that Colleton County’s drought status will change from normal to incipient drought. Portions of the midlands and the upstate are already under moderate and severe drought conditions respectively.

            

The people most affected by the drought are farmers and hunters trying to grow food plots. Row crops that yield a diminished harvest due to lack of water can mean financial hardship, and with some soils turning to dust in present conditions, just planting something like winter oats doesn’t make much sense. Sunny day after sunny day here in the Lowcountry makes for pretty weather, but the environment is stressed when no rain is recorded.

To read the entire feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries about S.C. drought click on 2009 - 2014