Drought in South Carolina

Events

831

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Damage

None recorded

• Drought in South Carolina, April 1 to 30, 202617 eventsA protracted period of abnormally dry weather that began in autumn of 2025 and continued through the winter culminated in extreme drought conditions across much of upstate South Carolina by early spring.
• Drought in South Carolina, May 1 to 31, 202617 eventsAfter a near-record dry April, the impacts of months-long precipitation deficits as high as 18 resulted in extreme to exceptional drought conditions lingering into May across the Upstate and Piedmont of South Carolina.
• Drought in South Carolina, July 1 to 31, 199815 eventsDry weather continued through most of the month of July, affecting crops during the critical part of the growing season. Corn and other vegetables sustained the most damage, but a dollar amount was not available at the time of this writing.
• Drought in South Carolina, June 15 to 30, 199815 eventsThunderstorms, despite their intensity, became few in coverage and by the end of the month crops were badly in need of rainfall. Many crops began to appear damaged.
• Drought in South Carolina, September 1 to 30, 199915 eventsRainfall continued to be scarce during the month of September, prolonging the drought conditions which existed through the summer.
• Drought in South Carolina, October 1 to 31, 199915 eventsThe return of some rainfall as well as lower evaporation rates due to the change of seasons, resulted in the drought easing somewhat. Drought classifications were lowered in some cases, and some places lifted water restrictions.
• Drought in South Carolina, July 15 to 31, 199915 eventsA long term dry spell became a drought in July as no organized rainfall affected the region. The lack of rain and temperatures well into the 90s, and above 100 degrees at times, began to cause significant damage to crops.
• Drought in South Carolina, August 1 to 31, 199915 eventsDrought conditions worsened during August as high evaporation rates and little rainfall occurred. Water restrictions began in several communities. Hay and late crops dried up in many counties.
• Drought in South Carolina, September 1 to 30, 200015 eventsDrought conditions were dampened some by a slightly above normal rainfall for the month. However, the area continued a rainfall deficit close to a year's total average rainfall. In May, shallow wells between 35 and 60 feet deep were drying up.
• Drought in South Carolina, November 1 to 30, 200015 eventsThe long-term drought continued to affect the region. Rainfall during the month was near or slightly above normal, but this had little effect on the ground water levels. Numerous wells dried up during the fall, and well borers and drillers could not keep up with the demand.
• Drought in South Carolina, October 1 to 31, 200015 eventsEffects of the drought intensified as many areas received absolutely no rain during the month, setting records for the longest stretch without measurable rainfall in several locations. Wells and mountain streams continued to dry up and lake levels continued to drop.
• Drought in South Carolina, August 1 to 31, 200015 eventsThe 2 year drought was reaching a critical stage by late summer. Many 80 to 100 foot wells going dry. Area lakes were at record low levels causing property damage to docks, boats, etc.
• Drought in South Carolina, December 1 to 31, 200115 eventsVery little active weather during December signaled that the drought was still present - and becoming critically important to more and more people. Record low ground water supplies, lake levels, and stream flows were reported across all of Upstate South Carolina.
• Drought in South Carolina, February 1 to 28, 200115 eventsThe long term drought's impact became more severe, even during the winter, as water levels in lakes dropped and stream flow on rivers reached record low levels. More and more communites began water restrictions, and started preparing for a busy fire weather season.
• Drought in South Carolina, March 1 to 31, 200115 eventsDespite beneficial rain during March, the drought continued to grip most of the area. The rainfall deficit for the 34-month period ending March 31 surpassed 36 inches by the end of the month.
• Drought in South Carolina, April 1 to 30, 200115 eventsDuring the month, the rainfall deficit at Greenville Spartanburg Airport reached 40 inches since July 1998. Wells continued to go dry.
• Drought in South Carolina, May 1 to 31, 200115 eventsUnprecedented drought conditions continued in upstate South Carolina. Hundreds of apple trees in western South Carolina were being cleared because of the lack of production caused by 3 years of drought.
• Drought in South Carolina, August 1 to 31, 200115 eventsThe effects of the long-term drought became more severe. Although the region did receive some rain during August, the state of South Carolina did record its fifth-driest month ever.
• Drought in South Carolina, November 1 to 30, 200115 eventsDrought was again the major concern during the month. An extended short-term dry spell exacerbated the ongoing drought, lasting from mid-October through much of November.
• Drought in South Carolina, August 1 to 31, 200215 eventsThe effects of the long term drought continued to take their toll on water supplies in Upstate communities in August. Many creeks and small streams reached their lowest levels in memory, while water levels on area lakes were as much as 10 feet below full pond.
• Drought in South Carolina, May 1 to 31, 200415 eventsA period of dry weather that began in August of 2003 culminated in moderate drought conditions across the Upstate by late spring of 2004. Streamflow and lake levels were running below normal and some communities began instituting water restrictions.
• Drought in South Carolina, November 1 to 30, 200715 eventsNovember provided no relief from the effects of the long term drought. In fact, another month of well-below normal rainfall made an already dire situation even worse. Many locations remained on pace to set annual records for rainfall deficit.
• Drought in South Carolina, October 1 to 31, 200715 eventsUnusually dry weather continued across the Upstate and northwest Piedmont of South Carolina through October.
• Drought in South Carolina, September 1 to 30, 200715 eventsExtreme drought conditions persisted across the Upstate and northwest Piedmont of South Carolina through September, as the region experienced another month of well-below normal precipitation.
• Drought in South Carolina, May 1 to 31, 200715 eventsThe effects of an extended period of dry weather were exacerbated by an abnormally dry May, with many locations reporting one of the driest Mays in recorded history. By the end of May, many climatological stations were reporting yearly rainfall deficits as high as 10 inches.

Drought everywhereEvery kind of event in South Carolina

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.