2026 brings "extreme" drought to farms in the Southeastern U.S.

by Jeff Ishee

Late February rains and snowfall have been beneficial to many farms in the Southeastern United States, bring much needed soil moisture.

Looking at the bigger picture, however, it is quite evident that winter drought is expanding in an area stretching from Virginia to Florida. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, only 1% of the Southeastern US was in “extreme” drought on December 30th, 2025. As of February 24, however, the area had increased to 23%.

The region saw the area in “severe” drought go from 15% to 41% during the same time frame.

The situation does not bode well for farms in the Southeastern United States with planting season imminent.

WMAZ-TV in Macon, Georgia, recently reported, "Central Georgia farmers are sounding the alarm as drought conditions continue to grip the region. It may seem like Georgia has had a wet winter, but for farmers, that's not the case." See their full report here>> https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/central-georgia-drought-threatens-approaching-growing-season/93-b669911b-033f-4f21-aa9f-db7146e05cdc

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor weekly summary (February 26) for the region:

“Virginia alone experienced widespread drought improvement, as the February 22-23 coastal storm was preceded by significant rainfall. Farther south, however, streaks of heavy rain provided only localized improvement. Showers bypassed many areas, leading to slowly worsening drought conditions. Several Southeastern wildfires have flared in recent days, and by February 24, the National Fire had charred 25,000 acres in Collier County, Florida, in Big Cypress National Preserve. Pockets of extreme drought (D3) have developed across the Southeast, most notably in southern Florida and southern Georgia/northern Florida, but extending as far north as the Carolinas.”