March 25. By Dave Vieser. Drought conditions are over, at least for now. Precipitation here is running about 2.5 inches heavier than normal, according to the National Weather Service.

Despite the higher than normal rainfall, Lake Norman levels remain relatively normal. There are two reasons: First, the rain has been spaced out between storms, rather than falling in one major storm. Secondly, the lake is kept at a lower level by Duke Power during the winter months.

According to Duke Energy, the lake was managed between 95.0 ft and 96.0 feet through February, and will slowly fill to the target of 98.0 feet by May 1. The level Thursday was 96.8 feet; today, 96.9 feet.

—Dave Vieser