Ongoing drought conditions across Georgia are creating challenges for farmers and livestock owners, with hay supplies tightening and prices climbing.
Drought conditions continue to intensify across Georgia, with new data showing much of the state now experiencing severe to extreme drought levels.
According to the National Weather Service in Atlanta, drought conditions have steadily worsened since last fall. Maps comparing conditions from September 2025 to now show a dramatic expansion of dry conditions, with nearly the entire state now impacted.
As of mid-April, about 90 percent of Georgia is classified in severe to exceptional drought, marking the largest coverage of drought in nearly 20 years.
Rainfall totals have been well below normal in recent months. In some areas, including parts of North Georgia, rainfall has dropped to just a fraction of typical levels, contributing to worsening soil moisture and increasing stress on crops, water supplies, and vegetation.
Locally, these dry conditions are already contributing to elevated fire danger across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, with officials urging residents to use caution with outdoor burning.
Forecasters say that without meaningful rainfall in the coming weeks, drought conditions are expected to persist and could continue into the summer months.
A Fire Danger Statement remains in effect across portions of north and central Georgia as dry vegetation, low humidity, and unusually warm temperatures continue to create dangerous fire weather conditions through the end of the week.
Drought conditions continue to grip Northwest Georgia, including Chattooga County, and this weekend’s round of showers and storms is expected to do little to improve the situation. While some areas picked up between a quarter and three-quarters of an inch of rain, experts say that amount is far below what’s needed to make a meaningful dent in the region’s rainfall deficit.
Chattooga County remains entirely under drought conditions as March comes to a close, highlighting the deepening dry pattern that continues to affect Northwest Georgia. The drought has become a growing concern for local communities, farmers, landowners, and emergency officials as rainfall deficits continue to build and the landscape becomes increasingly dry.
Drought conditions continue to grip Georgia, with 87.4% of the state now classified under at least D2 (Severe Drought) conditions — the highest statewide coverage seen since October 2011. While weekend rainfall brought measurable totals to parts of the state, it is not expected to significantly improve overall drought conditions.
Georgia is experiencing ongoing dry conditions and drought pressure as the state heads into the winter months. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, large portions of Georgia are showing signs of dryness or drought, with drought classifications ranging from abnormally dry (D0) to moderate drought (D1) in many regions. U.S. Drought Monitor