FIRST ALERT: New drought monitor released, little improvement inland

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The latest drought monitor is released, showing very little improvement inland. Along the Grand Strand, a widespread extreme drought continues. The exceptional drought continues across the border into Brunswick County.

While recent scattered downpours brought temporary relief to some neighborhoods, other areas continue to deal with growing moisture deficits that could affect your yard work, municipal water use, and local agriculture.

Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly snapshot of broad-scale conditions, and local conditions can change quickly between updates.

SOUTH CAROLINA DROUGHT STATUS

The newest map, released on Thursday, July 30, 2026, highlights where dry conditions are worsening or holding steady across our area.

The ONLY improvement this week is the change in the Pee Dee, where the extreme drought was downgraded to a severe drought for Marlboro and Darlington County.

YOUR FIRST ALERT LOOK AHEAD

Our First Alert Weather Team is watching local rainfall trends closely. Summer heat is expected to continue to dry out the topsoil. It’s going to take multiple rounds of steady and consistent widespread rain to start to put a dent into this drought…

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