Above-normal rainfall continued into January, bringing an end to the Short-Term Drought over Georgia. At the start of the year, conditions had improved such that Fall 2023's D4 Exceptional Drought had been completed eliminated, and D3 Extreme Drought was close behind. Persistent rainy conditions were chipping away at the remaining D2 Severe Drought through the month. Statistically speaking, at the start of January, 11.5 percent of the state was in D2 Severe Drought or worse, with 0.1 percent being D3 Extreme Drought. By the end of January, only 1.3 percent of the state was in D1 Moderate Drought conditions, and no areas were in a D2 Severe Drought or higher category.
In total, January's rainfall generally ranged from 3 to 10 inches over north and central Georgia. Far northeast Georgia received the highest amounts, with accumulations of 8 to 12 inches (100 to 200 percent of normal). The lowest rainfall amounts were observed over east central Georgia, where accumulations generally amounted to 2 to 4 inches (50 to 90 percent of normal). The remainder of the area received 6 to 8 inches of rain (125 to 300 percent of normal). In general, these rainfall amounts fell during only 2-3 impactful weather events during the month, with a bulk falling January 9-10, 2024.
In the January 25 Drought Information Statement issued by the NWS Atlanta office, 30-day rainfall totals were included for some of the climate record locations: Rome (RMG) reported 5.70 inches (121 percent of normal), Atlanta (ATL) reported 4.84 inches (113 percent of normal), Gainesville (GVL) reported 8.42 inches (174 percent of normal), Athens (AHN) reported 9.52 inches (221 percent of normal), Peachtree-DeKalb (PDK) reported 4.70 inches (106 percent of normal), Peachtree City (FFC) reported 5.18 inches (123 percent of normal), and Columbus (CSG) reported 4.20 inches (99 percent of normal). These 30-day totals show a marked difference from the abnormally low Fall 2023 monthly rainfall totals.
By the end of January, soil moisture normal to above normal for the state, and the Crop Moisture Index indicated all nine Georgia climatological zones were Favorably Moist to Wet. The USDA's Crop Progress and Conditions report from the early January indicated livestock was reported to be in good condition, though hay supplies continued to run low due to the fall drought conditions. Cattle farmers were still having to supplement food to extend limited hay supplies. Additionally, the overall crop update for cotton and winter wheat was favorable.
The drought ended statewide by January 30, 2024.