Incipient Drought Stage Returns in August

The heat of summer is taking a toll on the State of South Carolina with all counties in some form of drought stage except for Charleston and Berkley Counties. The South Carolina drought response committee of the state climatological office met on August 12, 2019 and upgraded Colleton County from normal conditions, into the first level of drought stage or incipient drought. Much of the midlands of South Carolina were upgraded from incipient drought into the next level of drought stage called a moderate drought.

The coastal plain stands the best chance for drought relief heading into September with the increased chance for tropical rains, but until then the threat for drought conditions persists. A total of twenty S.C. counties are now in the incipient drought stage including seven counties in the upstate. There are now twenty-four counties in the moderate drought stage. The S.C. State Climate Office utilizes factors such as crop moisture index, drought severity index, streamflow levels, groundwater levels, and lake and reservoir levels.

Colletonians know that the late summer months can be hot and dry, and that drought conditions can occur frequently, like when the county was bone dry in July of 2014. After Hurricane Matthew hit on October 6, 2016 with soaking rains, a dry and hot spell brought the Lowcountry into incipient drought during the month of November, while the upstate languished in a severe drought.

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

To view past blog entries about weather click 2019 Good Friday Severe Weather - 2018 May Rainfall Record - 2018 Cold Saltwater Temps - 2017 Tornado Colleton County - 2017 Tornado / Barnwell State Park - 2016 Hurricane Matthew - 2015 Flooding -  2014 Ice Storm Story - 2014 Ice Storm Photos - 2014 Drought - 2013 Wet Weather - 2012 T.S. Alberto - 2012 Storm Team 2 - 2011 Drought - 2009 Drought