Conditions here remain severely dry.  We have only received about one third of the "normal" yearly average rainfall for our region.  NC is classed in severe drought and the "no burn ban" is still in effect.  We received some rain in the last 7-8 days that has helped.  Our "Research Triangle Area" is in a stage 2 water use alert for conserving water and limiting outdoor lawn watering, car washing, etc. Some  farmers are reporting early crop losses and local surface reservoirs are at low levels. The recent rain appears to have relieved some plant stress but next week's forecast is for very hot and dry weather.