Weekend rain fails to ease western NC’s drought

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Weekend showers in southwestern North Carolina brought less than an inch of rain and did little to ease the drought that has gripped the mountain area.
   
The drought is entering its third year. The National Weather Service says rainfall is below normal in the region.
   
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Monday that annual rainfall measured at the Asheville Regional Airport was 35½ inches as of Sunday. That’s 11 inches below normal. Rainfall also was below
normal in 2007.
   
The U.S. Drought Monitor of North Carolina said 23 counties in western North Carolina were in some stage of drought last week. A new report is expected Thursday.
   
Central and most of eastern North Carolina aren’t reporting drought conditions.