The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor data indicates that drought conditions are improving, but not completely eradicated from Metro Atlanta, as well as the rest of the state of Georgia.

Beneficial rainfall has been rather plentiful through the last week of June and the firsts half of July, though not all regions have received the 4-8 inches of rain to erase the drought.

As a result, D1 Moderate Drought conditions continue to impact Cherokee and Bartow counties.

D1 Moderate Drought conditions are also observed in the South Atlanta metro area.

Nevertheless, there are areas of improvement.

Last week, over 90 percent of the state of Georgia was experiencing some form of drought conditions. That number has dropped to roughly 78 percent.

D2 Severe Drought conditions were observed in Gilmer, Pickens and Dawson counties last week; that is now down to D1 Moderate Drought.

However, mid-July through late August are the hottest time of year for Metro Atlanta, and indeed for the state of Georgia. Additional precipitation is needed to stave off drought conditions, as the high temperatures generate greater evapotranspiration rates, stressing local vegetation.

According to NOAA, another 9 to 12 inches of rainfall within one month will be necessary to end the drought in Georgia.

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