Drought Information Statement for Central Alabama Valid October 2, 2025 Issued By: NWS Birmingham, AL Contact Information: sr-bmx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated only if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/bmx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid October 2, 2024. Drought intensity and Extent D4 Exceptional Drought: None. D3 Extreme Drought: Parts of Greene, Hale and Marengo. D2 Severe Drought: Much of the southwest hydrologic area. D1 Moderate Drought: Many areas across the western and east central counties. D0 Abnormally Dry: Most of the area is at least abnormally dry. Although there could be some occasional shower activity over the next couple of weeks…no significant rainfall is expected. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Most of the area has seen drought intensity increase No Change: Limited to areas around Marengo County that had already been listed in drought. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation Last 30 days National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Dry conditions have persisted across much of the deep south over the past 30 days. Most locations across central Alabama have received 25% or less of average rainfall. Average weekly rainfall for the month of September should be around 1 inch per week. October is typically the driest month with weekly rainfall averages less than 1 inch in most locations. Summary of Impacts National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are continuing to slowly worsen across most of the area. Agricultural Impacts No updates from the USDA have been reported. Fire Hazard Impacts A Fire Danger Advisory is in effect. Drought Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Although streamflows over the past 7 days show most of the area as normal, the values shown are in the lower percentiles of the normal range with conditions continuing to worsen. Click the link to the right for a full map and legend to the image provided. Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Soil Moistures have continued to decrease over the past 7 days with all of Alabama showing below normal soil moisture. Thus far, the dry weather has prevented planting of winter crops. Cotton, peanut and soybean harvest are near completion. Cattle were reported to be in good to fair condition, while pastures were in poor to fair condition. Cattle continue to be fed supplemental hay. Crop reports will be discontinued for the winter season starting December. Fire Hazard Impacts National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Keetch Byram Drought Index values are averaging over 600 over most of the central Alabama area. Risks for fires are elevated. Fire Hazard Impacts National Weather Service Birmingham, AL In response to the current drought conditions, Governor Kay Ivey has issued a statewide ‘No burn order’. The Alabama drought declaration map has most of Alabama in a watch or warning status. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Rainfall amounts over the next 7 days are expected to be less than a half inch in most locations. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Continued hot temperatures and a lack of rainfall over the next 1-2 weeks will lead to continued Rapid Onset Drought impacts in south-central Texas. Drought Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham, AL Drought conditions are expected to worsen over the month of October.