Published on 06/09/99

Drought Is Now 'Extreme' in Central Georgia Region

Soil Moisture for Week Ending June 5, 1999
ÿ	June 4, 1999	June 5, 1998	5 Year Avg.
--- Percentages ---
Very Short	37	28	18
Short	41	30	34
Adequate	21	39	42
Surplus	1	3	6
Source: Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service

ATHENS, Ga. -- Central Georgia is now in extreme drought conditions, according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index. The rest of the state remains in severe drought except the west central region, which is in moderate drought, and the northwest corner, which is in mild drought.

For the PDSI, the Central Georgia Region includes Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Crawford, Dodge, Greene, Hancock, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Laurens, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Taliaferro, Twiggs, Treutlen, Washington, Wheeler and Wilkinson counties.

Soil moisture continued to get drier last week. The Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service reported soil moisture as short to very short in 78 percent of the state. Only 21 percent of the soils had enough moisture. Crop and pasture conditions continued to decline.

The Crop Moisture Index also shows drying topsoil across most of the state. Central, southwest and south central Georgia are excessively dry, reducing prospective yields.

The east central and southeast regions of the state are abnormally dry, and yield prospects are deteriorating. North central and northeast Georgia report short topsoil moisture.

Northwest and west central Georgia have adequate topsoil moisture now. However, dry areas remain in these regions. The PDSI and the CMI are calculated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center.

Little relief is in store for Georgia this week. Most of the state needs 9 to 12 inches of rain to end the drought. Northwest Georgia needs about 4 inches.

Georgia is now in the typical summertime weather pattern. The state depends on scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms for most of its rain. It is rare that a drought will be broken by scattered thunderstorms. It may take a tropical storm to break the current drought.

Current weather information on 38 Georgia locations is at the University of Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network Web site. Find current drought information at the UGA Drought '99 Web site. Or talk to your county Extension Service agent about the drought's effects on crops, landscaping, gardens or livestock.

David Emory Stooksbury is associate professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:

David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D.

CAES News

Spotting trouble: How Georgians can help combat spotted lanternfly 12/24/24 Emily Cabrera

Native to several Asian countries, the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was first detected in the United States in 2014 in Pennsylvania, likely arriving via imported goods. Since its arrival, the pest has spread to 15 states in the Eastern U.S., now including Georgia. While they do not bite or sting humans or animals, University of Georgia experts stress that early detection, prevention strategies and timely interventions are crucial to minimizing the spread and impact of this pest on a variety of plants.

CAES News

Top UGA research stories of 2024 12/23/24 Olivia Randall

As the new year approaches, it’s time to reflect on 2024, a year full of exciting research achievements at the University of Georgia. UGA researchers have made their marks examining crucial topics like the health of water resources and urban infrastructure in the face of climate change, the causes of higher suicide rates among young Black men, and an alarming trend in rates of Type 2 diabetes, among other groundbreaking work. Let’s take a closer look at 12 of the most impactful stories of the past year.

After a hearty climb, Connect Abroad Italy students pose in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (Photo by Angel Bhardwaj)

CAES News

UGA ranks as leading doctoral institution for study abroad 12/20/24 Angel Bhardwaj

The University of Georgia remains among the top 10 U.S. universities for study abroad participation, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report released by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. UGA boasts the highest study abroad participation to enrollment ratio of the top 7 ranked doctoral institutions, earning the No. 7 spot in overall participation and No. 3 in short-term study abroad programs.

CAES News

UGA Extension supports resilience in Georgia farm communities after Hurricane Helene 12/19/24 Emily Cabrera

Hurricane Helene wrought sweeping devastation across Georgia’s agricultural sector in late September, leaving an indelible mark on both the land and the people who tend it, bringing focus to vulnerabilities in Georgia’s farming industry and the need for more robust safety nets. In addition to the physical destruction, the hurricane took an emotional toll on Georgia’s farmers. In response, UGA Extension has prioritized mental health support.

From left, CAES Associate Professor Abigail Borron and Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars Mihai Suteu, Daniyar Memedemin, Alina Zaharia, Andreea Ona and Daniel Chiciudean stand in front of an image of the Romanian flag projected onto a barn at UGArden.

CAES News

Fulbright Scholars unite with UGA Extension to envision ag outreach model in Romania 12/18/24 Maria M. Lameiras

Arriving on the Athens campus of the University of Georgia in August 2023, five Romanian scholars experienced the same anticipation, excitement and apprehension as many first-year students. Chosen as Fulbright Romanian-American Foundation Scholars, each serves on the faculty at one of three Romanian universities, specializing in fields from economics and engineering to plant breeding and biotechnology. The five scholars comprised the first cohort of the Romanian Extension Education Development Program, an ambitious three-year pilot effort to facilitate planning and implementation of extension services in Romania.

CAES News

A larger-than-life legacy: CAES student’s contagious enthusiasm inspired others 12/17/24 Jordan Powers

When Miriam Edelkind-Vealey applied for a summer role at a University of Georgia pollinator biodiversity lab in 2020, the junior undergrad didn’t quite know what to expect. After being told she got the position, Edelkind-Vealy didn’t hear anything for a few weeks. It was only then that she learned a collaborator on the project, second-year master’s degree student Amy Joy Janvier, had passed away.