The latest Drought Monitor shows severe drought conditions expanding in Cumberland and eastern Putnam County.
Though some rain fell this week, weather officials note the amounts were limited and were mostly negated by continued warm temperatures. Those warmer-than-normal temps are drying out the soils.
All of Cumberland County and areas around Monterey sit in the the Severe Drought category. The rest of the Upper Cumberland reporting moderate drought conditions. The worst conditions in the state this week sit along the Alabama border in southern middle Tennessee. West Tennessee saw heavier rains over the last ten days, removing all drought alerts in that area.
Forecasters predict another a good chance of rain Monday night, followed by the coldest blast of air seen this fall midweek.