Drought in Jones, Georgia

Through the month of January, a more active pattern provided above normal rainfall to the majority of the state, and improving drought conditions across the state enough to remove the D4 Exceptional drought category entirely. By the end of the month, the remaining D3 Extreme drought area stretched a small area from Ellijay, to Blairsville, to Helen in the NE Georgia mountains. The D2 Severe drought area retreated northward, only including areas north of a line from Franklin, to Acworth, to Athens, to Elberton.

Even with the January rainfall, the long term drought remained a concern into the late winter months, with 365 day normal rainfall departures of 9 to 20 inches across north Georgia. Many of the large Georgia lakes remained below seasonal levels, including Lake Lanier, ending the month nearly 10 feet below the normal pool level.