State climatologist: Drought may end next year, not this year

GAINESVILLE - The drought that continues to plague Georgia may end next year but don't look for it to be over this year, the state climatologist told a meeting in Gainesville Tuesday.

David Stooksbury was among the speakers at the Ag 2008 Forecast, one of a series of such meetings being held around Georgia.

"While there's a perception we've had a great deal of rain, in reality we just haven't had that much rain and we're not receiving the recharge we need to make us feel real comfortable about this coming summer or fall," Stooksbury said, repeating comments he has made recently about the drought.

Stooksbury said even with recent rain, much of north Georgia remains two inches below normal for this month.

Stooksbury told his agri-business audience at the UGA-Hosted event at the Georgia Mountains Center that the drought weather pattern may break by next year, but not this year.

"If we go back to a more normal pattern next year there's a good probability we could pull out next winter," Stooksbury said. "We'll go to what is called a neutral pattern; neutral patterns can be extremely wet."

According to Stooksbury, the best source for drought information is the University's Drought Page at www.georgiadrought.org.

"There you have all our press releases and all the data that goes into them plus recommendations on how to deal with water shortages and drought," Stooksbury added.

Stooksbury said he was recently misquoted by news media concerning conservation measures in light of recent state consideration on lifting water restrictions.

"Let's go with what I actually said in the press release and not what was reported," Stooksbury said. "The press release said IF we do not have adequate rainfall this winter and spring we MAY have to go to more stringent conservation measures. I did not call for increasing restrictions or anything and have not said anything in particular about restrictions."

Stooksbury said the media reports "framed" the news release in the wrong way.

A Hall County landscaper sought and got clarfication from Stooksbury on reducing drought water restrictions.

Kelly Bowen from Full Bloom Nursery said outdoor water use by her industry amounts to only ten percent of total state water use but current restrictions brought a 100 percent ban on it.

"It sounds better, he told me that is not what he meant," Bowen said.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206294