Nearly 70% of Georgia in extreme drought conditions

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist says it's the worst drought since 2011

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:37pm

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A vast, hazy landscape painting showing a cracked, parched earth under an oppressive sky, conveying the overwhelming power of the drought conditions.A sweeping, atmospheric landscape captures the overwhelming scale and devastating impact of the extreme drought gripping nearly 70% of Georgia.Atlanta Today

According to the latest drought report, nearly 70% of Georgia is now experiencing extreme drought conditions. Meteorologists say the state needs about 15-25 inches of rain over the next few months to start recovering, but the forecast shows little rain in the coming days. Atlanta could also see its earliest 90-degree temperatures on record this weekend.

Why it matters

Extreme drought conditions can have severe impacts on agriculture, water supplies, and the environment across Georgia. This prolonged dry spell follows a similar drought in 2011, raising concerns about the state's ability to withstand the effects of climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.

The details

The new drought report shows 69.5% of Georgia is now classified as being in extreme drought, the second-highest level on the U.S. Drought Monitor scale. Meteorologist Ashley Kramlich says this is the worst drought the state has seen since 2011. To start recovering, Georgia would need about 1.5 times its normal rainfall over the next few months, equating to 15-25 inches of rain. However, the forecast shows little chance of significant rainfall in the coming days.

  • The new drought report was released on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • The last major drought in Georgia occurred in 2011.

The players

Ashley Kramlich

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist at WSB-TV in Atlanta.

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What they’re saying

“What we really need is about 1.5 times our normal rainfall for the next few months. That would equate to about 15-25 inches of rain.”

— Ashley Kramlich, Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist

What’s next

Meteorologists will continue to monitor the drought conditions and rainfall forecasts for Georgia in the coming weeks and months to determine if the state is able to recover from this extreme dry spell.

The takeaway

The severe drought gripping nearly 70% of Georgia highlights the state's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the need for long-term strategies to improve water conservation, agricultural resilience, and environmental sustainability.