A portion of northwest North Carolina received between 25 and 40 percent of their normal rainfall from the beginning of October through much of November, resulting in an expansion of Severe Drought conditions into this area. The lack of rainfall contributed to a gradual decrease in river and creek stream flows, groundwater and soil moisture across the northwest portion of the state. Impacts on remaining crop harvest were minimal given the growing season had ended with the onset of cooler weather.  However, one notable impact was a lack of growth of pasture grasses, forcing ranchers to begin feeding hay to livestock more so and/or earlier than they normally might. The threat of Wildland fire activity was increased during the month given the combination of dry fuels and the seasonal loss of leaf cover/canopy which allowed surface fuels to dry out more readily.

Drought in WATAUGA, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Watauga County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Boone (BOON7) measured only 1.01 inches of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflows for the Watauga River at Sugar Grove was below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Watauga County on November 8th, but was lifted on November 22nd after a significant wetting rainfall occurred to relieve the dryness of leaf litter and fuels.

Drought in STOKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for most of Stokes County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was between 25 and 30 percent of normal for a large portion of the county. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Danbury, NC (DNBN7) measured only 0.81 inches of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the Dan River near Francisco was below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website during the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Drought in ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Rockingham County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was between 25 percent and 30 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Reidsville, NC (RDVN7) measured only 1.42 inch of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 5th percentiles during the second half of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the Dan River near Wentworth, NC at one point in the second half of the month dipped below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Drought in CASWELL, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Caswell County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was between 30 percent and 40 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Yanceville, NC (YAVN7) measured only 1.75 inch of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile during the second half of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the Hyco Creek near Leasburg, NC at one point in the 2nd half of the month dipped below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Drought in SURRY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Surry County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal for a large portion of the county. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Mt. Airy, NC (MTAN7) measured only 0.84 inches of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the Ararat River at Ararat was below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website during the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Drought in ALLEGHANY, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for all of Alleghany County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Sparta 3.5 SSW (SPRN7) measured only 0.93 inch of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil for much of the county was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Alleghany County on November 8th, but was lifted on November 22nd after a significant wetting rainfall occurred to relieve the dryness of leaf litter and fuels.

Drought in ASHE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Ashe County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Jefferson 2 E (JFFN7) measured only 0.60 inch of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the South Fork New River near Jefferson, NC at one point in the middle of the month dipped below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Ashe County on November 8th, but was lifted on November 22nd after a significant wetting rainfall occurred to relieve the dryness of leaf litter and fuels.

Drought in WILKES, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for nearly all of Wilkes County on November 14th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at North Wilkesboro (NWBN7) measured only 0.88 inch of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflow for the Reddies River at North Wilkesboro at one point in the middle of the month dipped between the 10th and the 20th percentiles per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Wilkes County on November 8th, but was lifted on November 22nd after a significant wetting rainfall occurred to relieve the dryness of leaf litter and fuels.

Drought in YADKIN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-NOV-23 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-23 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for Yadkin County on November 7th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. The Cooperative Weather Observer at Yadkinville 6 E (YKNN7) measured only 1.04 inches of precipitation for that 6-week period. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was below the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.