RALEIGH, N.C. -- Unusually dry weather has returned to portions of central and southeastern North Carolina, which has experts on the lookout for possible drought conditions.

A lack of significant rain has created what's known as abnormally dry conditions in 26 counties stretching from Wilmington to parts of the Triangle and Triad.

That's the first time since early December that any part of North Carolina has experienced dry conditions.

That doesn't mean there's a drought yet, but the state's Drought Management Advisory Council is meeting weekly to keep an eye on the situation.

The state Department of Environment and Natural Resources says the rest of North Carolina is normal for this time of year.

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