ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville and much of Buncombe County remain in severe drought as rainfall totals continue to lag behind normal levels, though forecasters say several chances for rain are on the way through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, Asheville is 4.81 inches below normal for precipitation since Dec. 1, 2025, and 1.81 inches below normal since Jan. 1. January ranked as the 12th driest on record in Asheville, with just 1.96 inches of total precipitation — nearly 2 inches below normal — in records dating to 1895.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor data, published on Drought.gov, shows 9.4 million North Carolina residents living in areas classified as drought. Most of Buncombe County and Western North Carolina are in severe drought, known as D2 conditions.
State officials say drought conditions are worsening across North Carolina.
The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council reported Thursday that 72 counties are in severe drought, 24 counties are in moderate drought and one county is abnormally dry. Parts of Cabarrus, Stanly and Union counties are experiencing extreme drought, or D3 conditions.
“Except for a small area around Carteret County, the entire state is classified as in moderate drought or worse,” Klaus Albertin, chair of the advisory council, said in a statement.
Data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center show many locations across the state have experienced their driest six months on record, with rainfall deficits exceeding 10 inches in some areas since August 2025.
Albertin said impacts have been somewhat limited during the cooler months because of lower water demand, but dry conditions have led to below-average streamflows statewide. As of Feb. 10, U.S. Geological Survey stream gauges were recording well below normal seven-day average flows.
“Impacts are still limited, but we can expect to see water restrictions being implemented if we don’t see a shift toward a wet pattern,” Albertin said in the news release. “Stream and reservoir levels are already low, and water demand will increase as we get into spring.”
Forecasters say that shift may begin, at least temporarily, over the next several days.
The U.S. National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg is calling for widespread drizzle and light showers to develop Thursday morning and continue into the evening, followed by another round of rain Friday morning. A more widespread rain event is possible Saturday.
In Asheville, a slight chance of rain is forecast Thursday morning, with highs near 72 degrees. Rain chances increase to 30 percent Friday and 40 percent Saturday, with additional showers possible Saturday night. While early rainfall amounts are expected to be light, forecasters say confidence is increasing in more widespread rain Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply after the weekend system moves through. Highs Sunday will struggle to reach the low 40s, with overnight lows falling into the 20s early next week.
Whether the upcoming rain will significantly ease drought conditions in Buncombe County remains uncertain. Experts say sustained, above-normal rainfall over weeks or months would be needed to erase the current deficit and restore streamflows and reservoir levels.