MORNING HEADLINES  |  Recent rainfall in the Lowcountry hasn’t been enough to make up the massive rainfall deficit that built in the early months of 2026, according to local forecasters and state experts. 

An early spring drought led to big problems for local farmers and gardeners, resulting in crop and financial losses. Now months later, the Lowcountry is still more than 16 inches below  average rainfall, according to longtime WCSC weatherman Bill Walsh.

“As an average, we’re still significantly down rainfall,” he said. “Even after some of the moderate to heavy rain we’ve been getting. It’s just not enough.”

Data from the S.C. Department of Agriculture and S.C. Drought Response Committee back him up. Charleston County still shows moderate drought conditions, while neighboring Berkeley and Dorchester counties are considered to be in severe drought. No county in the state is showing normal levels, according to data.

“Even though we’re seeing more rain in the region now, we got behind, and we just haven’t had enough to get out of it,” said S.C. Department of Agriculture Communications Director Eva Moore. “Farmers in the area are still concerned about fall planting and livestock foraging.”

Some hope is in the forecast, however, as nationwide climatologists are looking at an impending super El Niño event that is expected to bring heavier and more frequent rains across the nation.

“When you have an El Niño, especially a stronger one like this, we typically end up wetter in the Southeast,” Walsh said. “We will probably end up getting a lot more rain in the fall and winter, which is good for us. We could use the moisture, not just in Charleston, but all across the Farm Belt.”

Forecasters say there’s about a 90% chance of the super El Niño to reach historic strength in the late fall and winter. The event could push global temperatures higher, threatening new heat records late in 2026 and early 2027, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center. – Skyler Baldwin

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CALENDAR: How to find cool things to do around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find. 

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