(RALEIGH) -- Drought has returned to North Carolina for the first time in more than a month, due to below normal rainfall and record-breaking temperatures.

"This week we have 17 counties in a moderate drought and 35 experiencing abnormally dry conditions," said State Division of Water Quality spokeswoman Sarah Young. "Moderate drought is the first category and the least severe category of the four drought categories."

She added that water supplies around the state are still in pretty good shape.  "All of the water supplies though out the state, or the majority of the state, are doing okay.  We are just seeing the initial indicators of drought.  Water supplies are the last thing that usually become affected."

This is the first time since May 29 that any counties have experienced moderate drought.  Most of the counties in moderate drought are in the central part of the state.