RALEIGH (AP) ó Drought conditions in North Carolina have worsened for the second straight week.
U.S. Drought Monitor data shows that most of western and eastern North Carolina are experiencing drought. The central part of the state is abnormally dry, which means drought could return without adequate rainfall.
A large coastal swath from Jacksonville to the Virginia border is under moderate drought, the least severe of the four drought categories. The area was abnormally dry last week.
Most of western North Carolina is under moderate drought, though 15 counties along the South Carolina and Georgia borders are one tier higher in severe drought.
Drought conditions exist in 63 counties this week, up from 39 counties last week.

On the Net:
U.S. Drought Monitor map: www.ncdrought.org