The July 31 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions spreading and worsening across some areas in Georgia and Alabama and covering parts of Florida.
Abnormal drought is observed in Southwest Georgia and much of the northern part of the state. Dry conditions in the southwest corner of the state start in Seminole and Decatur counties, expand eastward to Brooks and Lowndes counties and as far north as Stewart and Chattahoochee counties.
Abnormally dry conditions are also observed in Dooly and Pulaski counties and expand northeastward to Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Lincoln and Columbia counties. Similar conditions are seen in Meriwether and Pike counties and stretch northward to Whitfield, Gilmer and Fannin counties.
Alabama
Dry conditions are seen in two areas in Alabama. One is in Southeast Alabama, starting in Houston and Geneva counties and also includes Henry, Dale, Coffee, Barbour and Pike counties. The other area is located in the southwest part of the state, starting as far south as Escambia, Baldwin and Mobile counties and stretching northward to Jefferson, Walker and the southern areas of Cullman and Blount counties.
Florida
South Florida continues to show insufficient moisture. Extreme drought is seen in Miami-Dade County. Severe drought is observed in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Moderate drought is seen in parts of Collier and Palm Beach counties.
Abnormal drought is seen along the west coast, starting as far south as Lee and Charlotte counties and expanding as far north as Citrus and Sumter counties. The northern parts of some counties in the Florida Panhandle are abnormally dry as well. The dry area starts as far west as Walton and Holmes counties and stretches eastward to Suwanee and Columbia counties.