(RALEIGH) -- An assessment of drought conditions released Thursday estimates that more than 80 percent of the state is abnormally dry. Parts of North Carolina from Charlotte to Raleigh face the worst conditions.

The latest drought map shows 45 counties are in some sort of drought status, with 27 counties in the severe drought area.  Another 38 counties are classified as abnormally dry, which one step away from the first stage of drought.  National Weather Service meteorologist Ron Humble says we need plenty of rain to break out of the dry conditions.  "We're going to have to get some rain in the next six weeks or we'll really start seeing the affects of this when trees start to [bloom] and when farmers start to get active."

North Carolina has grown increasingly parched over the last month due to a lack of significant rainfall. The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council recommends that people who live in areas of severe drought eliminate nonessential uses of water. Council chairman Woody Yonts says water supplies are okay for now.