After some blistering record high temps in late June and early July, the weather pattern changed to a moderate temp/scattered storm scenario for several weeks. Many areas saw tropical downpours with brief flash flooding an issue in many neighborhoods. The afternoon storm machine brought beneficial rain and kept afternoon high temps in 80s and low 90s for nearly two weeks.

So did all that rain help the drought situation? It depends where you live. The U.S. drought monitor is updated every Thursday morning. However the data used is from the Tuesday prior, so any rain that falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is not "counted" for the report. Our latest map from  July 19th indicates the Exceptional level (the worst) creeping into SE metro Atlanta including Newton, Morgan, Jasper and Putnam counties. An Extreme Drought runs from Carrollton to Jonesboro to Monroe to Athens and points south. Most of Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties are in a level 2 or Severe Drought. The situation improves the further north you travel.

Now check out the rainfall for the past two weeks. The lions share fell in North Georgia with as much as 10 inches in the mountains. The northern suburbs received a scattered amount of 5 to 8 inches over the past two weeks. The area SE of town recorded spotty amounts of heavy rain with a decrease in coverage into Middle Georgia.

It will be interesting to see how much the Drought Monitor Map will change in the next report this week. The official rain gauge for Atlanta has recorded 3.14" this month, that is -.93" from the average and the deficit for the year stands at -6.78'. Check back for updates.