0.24” rain this past week (NOAA normal for the week: 4.16”). Still dry and hot. Yellow/brown river birch leaves really falling, but not other trees around the house (photo). Local non irrigated lawns grey/brown and showing more bare spots as the dry spell continues. US Drought Monitor has this area in a “D1 - Moderate Drought” status. We’re sandwiched between “D0 - Abnormally Dry” immediately to the W and “D2 - Severe Drought” immediately to the E. Per SC Forestry app - 7 wildfires across SC. I’m sure the Forestry folks appreciate the lull to have a bit of a break and repair/restock equipment and supplies. Still noticing a lot of dead smaller tree/bush vegetation along roadways. Also some dead lower branches on larger trees. Don’t think it’s due to spraying, as the dead bushes appear in sections, but other sections of the same type vegetation along roads are green. Birds and squirrels enjoying the free food at the feeder. Hummingbirds are quickly draining their feeders. Fire ants keep returning no matter what’s tried against them. Still noticing a lot of spider webs. They’re welcome if they’ll help reduce this mosquito population. Some SC DES groundwater monitoring wells showing up to 10-11 foot water level drop since earlier this year. From Data Explorer: Monthly precip: 0.52” (-1.42" : 27% of NOAA Normal). Yearly precip: 20.17” (-14.14" : 59% of NOAA Normal). Last 30 days: 1.45” (NOAA normal: 9.31”). Last 90 days: 8.70” (NOAA normal: 19.30“). Some online El Niño discussion seems to forecast a coming quick transition to a much wetter condition, so will be watching to see what happens.