Official says August heat worsened drought effects

RALEIGH (AP) — Forecasters have told a state panel that the high temperatures of August only worsened North Carolina's drought, and the coming months are expected to bring little relief.

Mike Moneypenny of the National Weather Service said Thursday that temperatures at Raleigh-Durham International Airport have exceeded 90 degrees for about 90 days instead of the average of 30 days a year.

Officials say the winter is expected to be drier than normal, although lower temperatures will reduce evaporation. Some water officials told the Drought Management Advisory Council that their cities have water supplies of less than six months.

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