The rain forecast for this weekend isn’t expected to do much to lessen drought conditions across West Alabama, according to the National Weather Service’s Birmingham office.
The southeast corner of the state and a band stretching northeast from Pickens County to DeKalb County are under severe drought conditions.
Saturday night, rain is expected to return to the area.
The weather service expects the weekend weather system to bring half an inch to 1 inch of rainfall to the area, said meteorologist Tara Goggins.
“Every little bit does help,” she said.
But the precipitation isn’t expected to reverse the drought conditions.
In January 2017, the area recorded 7.2 inches of rainfall.
Another weather system is expected to arrive mid-week and could bring more precipitation, Goggins said.
Early last fall, the state was free of drought conditions, though dry conditions began to return in late 2017.
Despite periodic fronts bringing some precipitation, rain totals remain relatively light with most locations below normal averages for this time of year.