97% of Southeast under drought conditions as hot, dry spring lingers with some rain to the rescue

After a scorching, rain-starved commencement to spring, much than 95% of the Southeast finds itself successful the vigor of a drought—though immoderate long-awaited alleviation whitethorn yet beryllium connected the mode for prime areas successful the region.

Since aboriginal March, a persistent ridge of precocious unit has dominated overmuch of the Southeast, bringing minimal rainfall, grounds warmth, and worsening drought—creating premier conditions for occurrence weather.

The ongoing vigor and deficiency of rainfall person allowed utmost to exceptional drought conditions to develop, particularly crossed confederate Georgia and bluish Florida. Currently, 97% of the Southeast is nether immoderate level of drought, with 40% classified arsenic utmost oregon exceptional. Over the adjacent 7 days, the areas experiencing the astir terrible drought are expected to spot small to nary rainfall arsenic the ridge of precocious unit remains successful place.

HERE'S WHY PEOPLE IN THE SUNSHINE STATE NEED TO BE ON ALERT DURING ALLIGATOR MATING SEASON

Currently, much than 15 locations are experiencing 1 of their apical 5 driest springs connected record, including large cities specified arsenic Tallahassee, Raleigh, Nashville and Montgomery, Alabama.

A North Collier County fireman helps the Florida Forest Service conflict a wildfire connected April 14, 2026, successful Naples, Florida. The historical drought has triggered evacuations successful the area.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Drought conditions marque mode for a acold much dangerous, destructive threat: wildfires.

Although the ongoing adust conditions are becoming progressively concerning, long-range forecasts bespeak that alleviation whitethorn beryllium connected the horizon.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, this persistent ridge that has dried retired the portion volition statesman to weaken toward the extremity of adjacent week, allowing Gulf moisture to instrumentality to the Southeast, making mode for much-needed rain.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Long-range forecasts suggest that overmuch of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida is apt to spot above-average precipitation implicit the adjacent 2 weeks, though it whitethorn not beryllium capable to quell the existing drought conditions. 

Due to the wide and terrible drought conditions, it volition instrumentality important and sustained rainfall to bring meaningful improvement, meaning it could instrumentality months for the Southeast to afloat recover.