Drought — Towns, Georgia

2017-05-01 to 2017-05-31 · Towns, Georgia

Wider weather episode

A very wet May promoted drought recovery over north and central Georgia, with such a significant improvement that drought conditions ended over much of the area.

By the end of the month, only two counties (Lumpkin and White) in the headwaters of the Chattahoochee, upstream of Lake Lanier, remained in the D2 Severe Drought area. Moderate Drought and Abnormally Dry conditions also remained in a one-county periphery around the D2 zone, and across portions of east central Georgia.

In total for the month, rainfall amounts ranged between 3 to 15 inches, with a majority of north and central Georgia receiving widespread 5 to 10 inches. These widespread amounts were 150 to 400 percent of normal. Rainfall deficits at the official climate sites generally fell below 13 inches for the previous 365-day period, or generally 76 to 100 percent of normal. The 90-day rainfall deficits reflect the wet spring, with rainfall amounts at all locations ranging from 94 to 156 percent of normal.

By the end of May, reservoirs in north and central Georgia were continuing to recover or were considered to be at or above summer full pool. Lake Allatoona, West Point, and Carters ended the month generally above the summer pool elevation. With the headwaters of the Chattahoochee still experiencing some drought conditions, Lake Lanier was still slow to fill, ending the month approximately 7 feet below summer pool.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 701365. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.