Roanoke Valley holding out for rainfall: Increased drought severity could impact area crops

With summer being the hottest season, having started more than a week ago, high temperatures and lack of rainfall have already brought moderate drought that could effect agriculture in the Roanoke Valley. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weekly Drought Monitor report released on June 20, 12% of the U.S. is in a drought, where all of Eastern NC was categorized as abnormally dry. With minimal chances of rainfall forecasted at the beginning of this week, hope fell short, with only sprinkles of rain across the Roanoke Valley...