DNR News
** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
February 3, 2011
Drought Response Committee maintains status,
long term forecast indicates potential ongoing drought
With anticipation of heavy rain on the way, the Drought Response Committee voted on Feb. 3 to maintain the first level of drought for 37 counties. The information conveyed by the long term indicators shows the potential for ongoing drought despite recent rain activity.
Marlboro, Dillon, Marion, Florence, Horry, Williamsburg, Georgetown, Berkeley, and Charleston counties continue with no drought status. The incipient drought declaration is followed by increasing levels of severity to moderate, severe and extreme status.
Hope Mizzell, S.C State Climatologist stated, "Some people may question why we are talking about drought since it appears winter has been very cold with normal rainfall. In reality, while we have had clouds, snow and rain, the actual amount of precipitation received has been much lower than average for the majority of the state. Most sites in the Pee Dee region have received less than 3.5" since December 1 which is only 40 percent of what they normally receive. Places like Walhalla recorded
closer to normal rainfall, but are still reporting a deficit."
Rainfall Totals and Percent of Normal Summary: Dec. 1, 2010 – Feb. 2, 2011
- Cheraw - 2.98" - 38 percent
- Winnsboro - 3.28" - 39 percent
- Florence - 3.14" - 40 percent
- Johnston - 3.57" - 40 percent
- Sumter - 3.57" - 42 percent
- Columbia Airport - 3.55" - 43 percent
- Laurens - 4.25" - 46 percent
- Gaffney - 4.47" - 50 percent
- Orangeburg - 4.19" - 50 percent
- Greenwood - 4.82" - 53 percent
- McColl - 3.59" - 54 percent
- Spartanburg - 5.36" - 56 percent
- Ware Shoals - 4.85" - 56 percent
- Chester - 4.74" - 56 percent
- Saluda - 5.19" - 58 percent
- Charleston Airport - 4.74" - 63 percent
- Anderson - 7.33" - 73 percent
- Pickens - 8.27" - 77 percent
- Newberry - 8.19" - 91 percent
Ken Rentiers, Deputy Director, Land, Water, and Conservation Division emphasized, "Winter is our recharge season. During winter when demand and evaporation are low we depend on the rains to recharge our surface and groundwater."
Darryl Jones, S.C. Forestry Commission, reported that dry winter conditions resulted in increased wildfire activity across the state, "In January, the Forestry Commission responded to 247 wildfires across the state that burned more than 1,000 acres. That's a lot more fires than we normally see in January and indicates that our wildfire season is starting a little early this year. We encourage the public to be extremely careful if they choose to conduct outdoor burning and to make sure they follow all of the applicable state laws. This includes notifying the Forestry Commission before you burn, having adequate firebreaks and equipment in place to keep the fire under control and staying with the fire until it is completely safe." Please contact Darryl Jones for questions about wildfire activity at (803) 896-8800.
During incipient drought, DNR activates the Drought Information Center and increases monitoring and notification of the drought status.
Contact South Carolina State Climatologist Hope Mizzell in Columbia at (803) 530-5793 or e-mail at mizzellh@dnr.sc.gov for more information.
More News
- Drought Response Committee maintains status, long term forecast indicates potential ongoing drought
- Draft 2011 Aquatic Plant Management Plan is now available for public review and comment
- S.C. Wildlife’s 27th Annual Outdoor Photo Contest accepting entries
- Youth Federal Waterfowl Days set for Feb. 5-6
- State Heritage Trust Advisory Board meets Feb. 3 in Columbia
- Join the Rusty Blackbird Blitz Jan. 29 to Feb. 13
- DNR recommends new comprehensive deer management program based on hunter input
- Youth Bass Fishing League announces tournament dates
- Free family day at the range set Feb. 12 and March 5
- DNR seeks help in locating abandoned crab traps
- North Island hog hunts with dogs to remove destructive feral hogs
- DNR website provides anglers detailed information on saltwater fish
- Ecological burns in Jocassee Gorges to restore habitat, improve safety
- Freshwater fishing trends
- Saltwater fishing trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
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