Alabama’s drought drags on, but there’s some good news
There are chances of rain in the forecast every day going into next week.
Mason Reed 
Drought conditions continue to hold steady across Alabama, but recent data from the U.S. Drought Monitor offers a glimmer of hope. The latest weekly report, released this Thursday, shows a significant reduction in the most severe drought conditions across southern and southeastern Alabama.
Tracking the Drought
The U.S. Drought Monitor categorizes drought on a scale of Levels 0 through 4, also identifying regions that are considered abnormally dry. While drought persists, the latest findings indicate that Level 3 drought coverage has notably shrunk in the southern portion of the state. These reports are compiled with a data cutoff every Tuesday before being published on Thursday.
Rainfall Relief in Sight
The outlook for the coming days brings much-needed optimism, with daily rain chances forecasted throughout next week. According to the National Weather Service, precipitation estimates for the period of May 20-27 suggest that northern Alabama could see rainfall totals exceeding 4 inches. Meanwhile, southern portions of the state are expected to receive between a quarter-inch and 1.5 inches of rain.
Looking Ahead to June
The wetter weather pattern appears poised to stick around as we move toward the start of summer. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center suggests an encouraging trend for the eight- to 14-day outlook covering May 28 through June 3. Much of Alabama carries a 40-50 percent probability for above-average rainfall during that window, while northern Alabama maintains a 33-40 percent chance. 205focus.com will continue to monitor these developments ahead of the next U.S. Drought Monitor report, which is slated for release on May 28.
