Drought conditions increased substantially over the past week in Georgia and now cover more than 75% of the state, including all or parts of nine northeast Georgia counties – Hall among them.
A week ago, 72 percent of Georgia was drought-free, but that number is now only 22 percent, according to the weekly report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
In addition to Hall, counties in northeast Georgia that are now affected include Stephens, Franklin, Jackson, Barrow, Gwinnett, Forsyth, Dawson and Gilmer.
The hardest hit areas, though, are northwest, west central, central and south Georgia. And according to the National Weather Service (NWS), the prospects for any relief – in the form of rain – over the next seven days are slim statewide.
Gainesville and vicinity 7-day forecast:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night
A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Tuesday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Tuesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Wednesday
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.