Franklin County remains in severe drought, and the National Weather Service expects several more dry days before rain chances return late this weekend.
The Huntsville weather office’s latest drought statement, issued Oct. 22 with conditions valid Oct. 20, includes Franklin, Lincoln and Moore counties in the severe-drought category. A small part of northern Moore County is classified one step higher, in extreme drought.
Across the broader Tennessee Valley, the report describes declining pond and creek levels, stressed crops and pastures, and supplemental hay feeding in some areas. Those are regional reports, not findings assigned to every farm or water supply in Franklin County.
Many locations received only 25% to 50% of normal rainfall over the preceding month, according to the statement. Above-normal temperatures also contributed to worsening conditions.
The immediate forecast offers little relief. In its Monday, Oct. 26, afternoon discussion, NWS Huntsville expected mainly dry conditions Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by sunny, dry weather Thursday and Friday.
Forecasters placed daytime temperatures in the middle 70s in valley locations Tuesday and Wednesday, with cooler readings at higher elevations. Temperatures could approach 80 degrees later in the week.
For families planning Halloween activities, Saturday currently looks warm and largely dry during the day. Rain chances may begin returning Saturday evening, with a better chance of showers late Saturday night into Sunday, Nov. 1. The weather service emphasized that the timing still needs refinement.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is released each Thursday using conditions valid the preceding Tuesday. NWS Huntsville says its next drought statement will be issued by Oct. 30, or sooner if conditions change significantly.
Sources: NWS Huntsville drought statement; statement issuance dates; NWS Huntsville forecast discussion; U.S. Drought Monitor schedule.
Image: NWS Huntsville drought information statement issued October 22, 2026; map valid October 20. Unaltered NWS slide in a 931Go frame. The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.
