Georgia Faces Extended Drought, Impacting Agriculture and Raising Wildfire Risks
Georgia is currently experiencing an extended drought, which experts attribute to climate change. Rising temperatures have increased evaporation rates, leading to drier soil and vegetation. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the state has been in some form of drought since fall 2025, with rainfall deficits varying by region. The Augusta area, for instance, is classified under a D2 (severe drought) category, with a rainfall shortfall of approximately 4.5 inches for the year as of mid-May 2026. Agricultural climatologist Pam Knox from the University of Georgia Extension noted that the lack of tropical systems in 2025 contributed to the dry conditions, which were exacerbated by a hot and dry November. Although weather patterns shifted in March 2026 to bring more typical spring rains, the region still requires several months of above-normal precipitation to recover fully. 
