Raleigh is experiencing its driest start to the year ever
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The Raleigh area is off to its driest start in more than 140 years, as North Carolina's drought has become extreme across much of the Triangle, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Why it matters: Water restrictions remain in effect to prevent the drinking water supply from dwindling too low.
The latest: The water levels at Falls Lake, one of Raleigh's main sources of drinking water, stand at 69% of their normal levels, according to the city of Raleigh.
- Restrictions are triggered by anything below 85%, and have been in place since April 20.
Meanwhile, some swimming and boating spots are getting too dry for people to access.
- Last week, Durham Parks and Recreation closed Lake Michie Park and Marina "until water rises to a safe level."
By the numbers: The Raleigh area has gotten 8.32 inches of rain this year, according to Laura Helock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Raleigh office.
- That is well below the 30-year normal of 18.26 inches for the area.
Threat level: A rainfall station at Raleigh-Durham International Airport is reporting the driest start to the year in more than 140 years, according to the National Weather Service.
Yes, and: Forecasters had been expecting a wet May, but "that did not materialize," which is very concerning, wrote Phillip Badgett, also with NWS Raleigh.
- "This adds insult to injury for the Falls Lake area and north-central North Carolina where a very isolated area remained very dry compared to the rest of the southern and eastern United States," Badgett continued.
What they're saying: Helock says that there's no significant relief expected for the Triangle in the next two weeks — only a chance for summer thunderstorms, which can be hit or miss.
- Beyond that, she says, an El Niño pattern is expected to emerge this summer, which historically can bring further dry conditions.
State of play: El Niño occurs when water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual, Axios reported.
- The National Weather Service characterizes increases of 1.5° to 2° Celsius a "strong" El Niño event and anything above as "very strong," Axios Phoenix reported this year.
- Those conditions can be helpful in making it harder for hurricanes to form over the Atlantic. They can also lead to higher temperatures and droughts across different regions.
The bottom line: It'll take quite a bit of rain to get back on track.