Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Georgia

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Georgia using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Georgia. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Topsoil moisture decreases; planting is delayed
  • Fire risk is elevated
17.3
of GA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops are vulnerable; soil moisture is low
  • Gardens and lawns require more water
  • Stream and pond levels are lower; water temperatures increase
5.1
of GA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crops are stressed; hay yield is low; producers feed cattle early; planting is delayed; soil is hard; conditions are dustier than usual
  • Small streams dry up; rivers are very low
  • Tree mortality begins
0.0
of GA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Majority of hay/grazing is lost; agriculture suffers economic losses
  • Outdoor burn bans are implemented
  • Rivers and livestock ponds are dry; wells are drying up; mandatory water conservation is implemented
0
of GA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural economy is severely impacted
  • Fire risk is high; fire activity increases
  • Tree mortality is high; army worm outbreaks occur
0
of GA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Topsoil moisture decreases; planting is delayed
  • Fire risk is elevated
18.8
of GA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops are vulnerable; soil moisture is low
  • Gardens and lawns require more water
  • Stream and pond levels are lower; water temperatures increase
4.0
of GA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crops are stressed; hay yield is low; producers feed cattle early; planting is delayed; soil is hard; conditions are dustier than usual
  • Small streams dry up; rivers are very low
  • Tree mortality begins
0.0
of GA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Majority of hay/grazing is lost; agriculture suffers economic losses
  • Outdoor burn bans are implemented
  • Rivers and livestock ponds are dry; wells are drying up; mandatory water conservation is implemented
0
of GA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural economy is severely impacted
  • Fire risk is high; fire activity increases
  • Tree mortality is high; army worm outbreaks occur
0
of GA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Topsoil moisture decreases; planting is delayed
  • Fire risk is elevated
9.6
of GA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops are vulnerable; soil moisture is low
  • Gardens and lawns require more water
  • Stream and pond levels are lower; water temperatures increase
3.1
of GA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crops are stressed; hay yield is low; producers feed cattle early; planting is delayed; soil is hard; conditions are dustier than usual
  • Small streams dry up; rivers are very low
  • Tree mortality begins
0.0
of GA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Majority of hay/grazing is lost; agriculture suffers economic losses
  • Outdoor burn bans are implemented
  • Rivers and livestock ponds are dry; wells are drying up; mandatory water conservation is implemented
0
of GA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Agricultural economy is severely impacted
  • Fire risk is high; fire activity increases
  • Tree mortality is high; army worm outbreaks occur
0
of GA
(D4)
84,023
people in Georgia are affected by drought
7
counties with USDA disaster designations
13th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
13th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Georgia from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Georgia lasted 161 weeks beginning on April 11, 2006, and ending on May 5, 2009. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of December 11, 2007, where D4 affected 49.86% of Georgia land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to

Drought Resources for Georgia

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Regional Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Southeast DEWS Drought Email List
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Southeast.

Southeast Climate Monthly Webinars
This webinar series provides the Southeast region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions, such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. 

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.