ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Another week with widespread heavy rain has improved drought conditions across Western North Carolina. Most of the Asheville area is in the normal range, while nearby counties are mostly listed as abnormally dry.

While June’s drought had a lasting impact on the corn crop, there are few other traces of drought after a wet July, according to the North Carolina Drought Monitor. Statistics from the National Weather Service show 35.96 inches of rain had been recorded at Asheville Regional Airport through July 31 — about 6.81 inches above normal.

By Sunday, that number had jumped to 39.17 inches for the year — 9.34 inches above normal.

Much of the eastern part of the state is 2 to 4 inches above its normal precipitation since the start of summer, while surface water and groundwater conditions have bounced back, rejuvenated by our recent rainfall, according to the North Carolina Drought Monitor.

But there are some lingering dry spots. With lower totals in recent weeks, some areas farther west remain a bit drier than normal so far this summer. Deficits since June 1 are 1.98 inches in Cullowhee, 2.49 inches in Morganton and 3.09 inches in Yadkinville, according to the North Carolina Drought Monitor.

Streamflows on the Pigeon River remain below normal because of lower recent rainfall totals across southern Haywood County, according to the North Carolina Drought Monitor.

The forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

  • Monday: Mostly sunny with a high near 86 and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms
  • Monday night: Mostly cloudy with a low near 67. Chance of rain is 30 percent.
  • Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 85 and a 30 percent chance of rain.
  • Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy with a low near 67  with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 88 and a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
  • Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy with a low around 68 and a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
  • Thursday night: Mostly cloudy with a low near 68. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
  • Friday night: Mostly cloudy with a low near 66 and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.