The U. S.
Drought Monitor report released on July 9, 2026, shows persistent drought conditions in the western North Carolina mountains and Upstate South Carolina, despite recent rainfall.
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A large portion of Buncombe County has entered the moderate drought category, while the westernmost counties of North Carolina remain under extreme drought.
Meteorologists expect potential updates to these classifications by July 16, 2026, following a week of consistent precipitation across the region.
The Skywatch weather forecast anticipates scattered storms on July 10, 2026, with thunderstorms likely extending through the weekend and Monday, July 13, 2026.
Uneven Rainfall Distribution
In neighboring South Carolina, most of the Upstate region is classified under severe drought, according to the U.
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S. Drought Monitor.
Rainfall distribution across the area remains highly uneven.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality reported that the corridor from Charlotte to Raleigh received four to five inches of rain, while other sectors experienced minimal to no precipitation over the past week.
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Additionally, nine counties in north-central North Carolina face exceptional drought conditions.
