Atlanta, Ga. — March 27, 2026 — Georgia is enduring its most severe drought in nearly 10 years, with the latest U.S. Drought Monitor showing approximately 80% of the state locked in at least severe drought (D2 or worse).
According to the map released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center and partners, data valid as of March 24, 2026, reveals stark conditions: roughly 96% of Georgia is experiencing some level of drought or abnormally dry conditions.
Georgia Drought Hits Severe Conditions
Severe drought covers about 38% of the state, extreme drought (D3) affects another 35–42%, and exceptional drought (D4) — the highest category — grips nearly 8%, particularly in southern counties.
The National Weather Service in Atlanta has highlighted the historic nature of the situation.
In a recent drought information statement, forecasters noted that “Coverage of D2-D4 drought is at its highest in Georgia since 2011,” with hydrologic and fire weather impacts increasing statewide despite occasional light rains.
This marks the worst statewide drought coverage in over a decade, surpassing recent dry spells and echoing the intensity last seen in the fall of 2011.
In south Georgia, conditions have deteriorated further. Lowndes County and several southeastern counties are now in exceptional (D4) drought — the worst possible category on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale.
Is Georgia in a Drought?
The official definition describes D4 as involving “Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water emergencies.”
Local officials are already seeing the effects. Lowndes County fire crews have responded to multiple grass fires and wildfires since February, prompting ongoing burn restrictions.
EMA Lowndes Public Information Officer Megan Barwick urged residents: “Please hold off on any outdoor burning until the restriction is officially lifted. These conditions create a high risk of fires spreading quickly, putting our community and first responders in danger.”
Across north and central Georgia, rivers, streams, and lakes remain at critically low levels, while fire danger stays elevated.
The National Weather Service has warned that without a sustained active weather pattern bringing meaningful rainfall, the drought is likely to persist through the spring months.
Agricultural impacts are currently limited as the growing season is just beginning, but experts caution that continued dryness could soon stress crops, pastures, and water supplies for farms and communities.
Streamflows are below normal in many areas, and long-term hydrologic drought effects are already evident.
The broader Southeast region is feeling similar strain, with abnormally dry conditions and drought covering nearly all of the area as of mid-January updates, though some localized improvements have occurred in parts of Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas in recent weeks.
Residents and officials are being advised to conserve water, monitor local burn bans, and stay informed through county emergency management alerts.
The seasonal drought outlook from the Climate Prediction Center suggests that while some coastal improvement is possible later in spring, much of Georgia’s interior faces continued elevated drought risk into April and beyond.
As Georgia enters what could be a challenging spring, the message from forecasters remains clear: significant, widespread rain is needed to ease the grip of this record-setting dry spell.
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