Athens, Ga. – The number of consecutive days with little or no
rainfall is reaching record levels in Georgia. Preliminary
analysis by the Office of the State Climatologists indicates that
Columbus has broken its record of days with 0.01 inches or less
of rain.

Athens could break its record on Friday, and Atlanta could break
its within a week. All analyses were done for 1948 through
2001.

Wildfire potential is the most immediate concern. Dry soils, dry
leaves and other plant material, low humidity and wind all add up
to an increase in wildfire potential across the entire state.

Stream Flows Still Dropping

Stream flows continue to drop statewide. In north Georgia, record
daily low flows are reported on the upper Chattahoochee,
Chattooga, Chestatee, Broad, upper Flint and upper Oconee
Rivers.

In south Georgia, record daily low flows are reported on the
Altamaha, lower Flint, Ohoopee, lower Oconee and Ocmulgee
Rivers.

The Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service rates soil moisture
as short to very short in 96 percent of the state’s soils. Winter
wheat is particularly hard-hit, with 54 percent of the state’s
crop rated poor to very poor.

On the positive side, dry weather has allowed for good progress
in harvesting summer crops.