The Carolinas are experiencing a drought the likes of which hasn't been seen since 2002. It's a matter of debate exactly how bad this year's drought is historically, but one thing has been established; this region undergoes a drought every four to five years.

So it's a bit puzzling to me when I hear or read reports via the local sensationalized news stations of "how bad" it is this year. Those who don't follow the weather, at least statistically, are often surprised by it, and this year has brought more of what we traditionally experience when there isn't any rain during the summer.

Now, perhaps the trend is getting worse but such long term transitions don't make great headlines no more than then explain short term swings in the weather. I'm no meteorologist, but given my experience with the regional weather plus the current outlook for Atlantic hurricane predictions, I'd say the hot, dry weather means a lot of dead grass but also a relatively uneventful storm season.

Blame it on the weather patterns or what have you. Simply put it is what it is, and there is nothing we can do to change it in the short term.