Macon received only 20 percent of its normal
rainfall. Athens and Augusta
got less than a third of normal. Columbus received 36 percent of
normal while Savannah got
62 percent of its normal. Atlanta was the only major city
reporting above average
rainfall, ending the month 0.13 inches above normal.

For the year, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Macon,
and Savannah have received
about two-thirds of their normal rain. Columbus has received
just over half of its normal.

Soil moisture conditions continued to decrease
across Georgia the during
the last week of May. All of Georgia except the northwest corner
is now in severe drought,
according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, calculated by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Climate
Prediction Center (CPC). The northwest is in mild drought.

Most sections of the state need 8 to 11 inches
of rain to end the drought.
Northwest Georgia needs more than 2.5 inches.

The crop moisture index from CPC continues to
show a loss of soil
moisture. Topsoil moisture is abnormally dry and yield prospects
are deteriorating across
central, southwest and southeast Georgia. Topsoil moisture in
south central Georgia is
excessively dry with yield prospects reduced.

The National
Agricultural Statistics
Service reports that 72 percent of the state has short to
very short soil moisture.
Only 28 percent of the state has adequate or surplus
moisture.

For more information, go to the Drought ’99
Web site, or talk to
your local county Extension Service agent about the drought’s
effects on crops,
landscaping, gardens or livestock.