By Clint Thompson
Last weekend’s rainfall across the Southeast should help alleviate the extreme and exceptional drought conditions that were observed in the Dec. 4 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Exceptional conditions were still being observed in South Georgia in Seminole, Decatur, Grady, Thomas and parts of Brooks, Colquitt, Mitchell and Miller counties. Exceptional drought in Florida was seen in all or parts of Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson and Madison counties.
Extreme conditions in North Florida expand to Okaloosa and Walton counties, southward to Gulf and Franklin counties and eastward to Baker and Union counties. Severe and moderate drought in Florida extends down the west coast to Lee and Collier counties.
Extreme conditions in South Georgia start in Early and Clay counties, expand eastward to Pierce, Brantley and Charlton counties and as far north as Turner and Crisp counties. Severe conditions are seen throughout most of central Georgia.
Extreme drought in South Alabama includes all or parts of Houston, Henry, Dale, Coffee, Geneva, Covington and Escambia counties. Extreme conditions are also seen in a small patch of counties in the western part of the state, including Choctaw, Marengo, Hale and Greene counties. Severe and moderate conditions include most of southern and central Alabama, while abnormal conditions are seen in the northern part of the state.