Four UC Counties Listed On The Drought Monitor

Four Upper Cumberland counties are listed as Abnormally Dry.

According to the National Drought Monitor, parts of Putnam, Overton, Fentress and most of Cumberland County are listed as a D0 category drought. Nashville National Weather Service Meteorologist Brendan Schater said the drought category should drop after expected rainfall this week.

“The map covers intensity of drought from either none all the way up to D4, which is an exceptional drought,” Schater said. “On a scale of roughly one to five, the Abnormal Dry is kinda the one or two level. It’s the lowest part of the drought monitor.”

Signs of a D0 category drought include lower lake and pond levels and fewer pollenized plants. Schater said although the dry weather will impact local agriculture, he doesn’t anticipate any severe impacts.

The drought monitor listing released Thursday through the National Weather Service. Schater said the monitor map is updated once a week.

“What you’re going to see probably on this week or next week’s drought monitor is maybe a few less counties included in the Abnormally Dry areas. So we’ll be experiencing rainfall and there already has been quite a bit of rainfall in the Cumberland County area over the weekend.”