Drought — North Fulton, Georgia

2023-12-01 to 2023-12-11 · North Fulton, Georgia

Event narrative

According to the Drought Monitor, D2 Severe Drought conditions were present in Fulton county at the beginning of December. Above-normal December rainfall rapidly improved conditions to D1 Moderate Drought on December 12, ending the short-term drought over Fulton county.

In total, Fulton county was under D2 Severe Drought or worse conditions for approximately 3 weeks, beginning on or about November 21, 2023, and ending December 12, 2023. At the peak, Fulton county was under D2 Severe Drought conditions.

Wider weather episode

Rainy conditions over Georgia improved the ongoing Short-Term Drought over portions of Georgia through December. By the end of November, D4 Exceptional Drought had been eliminated, with persistent D2 Severe to D3 Extreme drought over north Georgia. Statistically speaking, at the start of December, 19.9 percent of the state was in D2 Severe Drought or worse, with 8.7 percent being D3 Extreme Drought or worse. At the peak of the drought, as shown in the Drought Monitor map on November 21, 2023, 24.7 percent of the state was in D2 Severe Drought or worse, with 9.7 percent being D3 Extreme Drought or worse.

In total, December's rainfall generally ranged from 2 to 9 inches. Over nearly two thirds of the area, accumulations were 2 to 4 inches (40 to 90 percent of normal), with the lowest amounts near Columbus, Roberta and Eatonton closer to 1.5 inches (35 percent of normal). Over north and east central Georgia, amounts were higher, with accumulations of 5 to 9 inches (100 to 200 percent of normal). The highest totals over the northeast Georgia mountains were 11 inches (200 percent of normal). In general, these rainfall amounts fell during only 2-3 impactful weather events during the month.

In the December 28 Drought Information Statement issued by the NWS Atlanta office, 30-day rainfall totals were included for some of the driest climate record locations: Rome (RMG) reported 3.91 inches (80% of normal), Atlanta (ATL) reported 3.43 inches (77 percent of normal), Peachtree City (FFC) reported 2.88 inches (66 percent of normal), and Columbus (CSG) reported 1.86 inches (40 percent of normal). The 30-day totals for other locations exemplified the improving drought conditions over the state: Gainesville (GVL) reported 6.65 inches (147 percent of normal), Athens (AHN) reported 4.34 inches (103 percent of normal), and Peachtree-DeKalb (PDK) reported 4.10 inches (97 percent of normal).

By the end of December, soil moisture normal to above normal for the southeastern three-quarters of the state, with just northwest Georgia slow to show improvement. The National Drought Mitigation Center's Condition Monitoring Observer Reports from farmers reported improvements with the higher rainfall amounts but still reported fair pasture conditions. Farmers reported supplemental feeding was required for cattle and livestock, though some green up of fields had occurred in the warming beginning of the month. Additionally, through the month there were reports of delayed harvesting or planting of seasonal crops and heavy degree of loss with crop yield, or complete or near crop failure. Some farmers reported having to reduce their livestock herd due to the lack of sufficient food supply. Although collaborative efforts between NWS Atlanta office and local fire officials remained enhanced, many north Georgia localities opted to lift burn bans with the improved drought conditions.

The drought continued to improve in January.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1164439. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.