by Lisa Schauer
Morgan County and the rest of the Eastern Panhandle are experiencing severe drought conditions this summer, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Multiple factors contribute to depicting drought conditions, including precipitation, air temperature, and soil moisture. 
Last month was the third driest June on record in Morgan County, with those records spanning back 130 years. Precipitation has been 2.74 inches less than normal.
Normal rainfall during June and July is around four inches a month. Only about 1.9” of rain has fallen so far in July, according to The National Weather Service.
Severe drought conditions are expected to persist in Morgan County for at least the next 30 days, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Less than a quarter inch of rain is predicted for the next five to seven days, and air temperatures will continue to soar an average of six to eight degrees above normal, according to drought.gov.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the area, exasperating the drought conditions.
Drought can lead to an inadequate water supply. In addition to precipitation, stream flow, groundwater and reservoir levels, as well as snowpack are key factors in forecasting water supply.
