N.C. is drying out again

Raleigh, N.C. — With summer a day away, drought is once again setting in across North Carolina.

All 100 counties are experiencing some level of drought conditions, according to the latest report from the state Drought Management Advisory Council. Two weeks ago, almost a quarter of the counties were out of the drought.

For the first time since early March, part of the state is under exceptional drought conditions, the worst of five categories that the council tracks. Seven counties in the southwestern part of the state are now under those conditions.

Another 33 counties are experiencing extreme drought conditions, while 16 are under severe drought, including much of the Triangle.

Forty-one eastern North Carolina counties are in a moderate drought, while three in the far northeast corner of the state are experiencing the mildest category, called abnormally dry conditions.