The latest weekly drought report shows an increasing drought problem for the central portion of North Carolina.  A severe drought now exists in an area that is bounded by Raleigh and Fayetteville in the east and Greensboro to Charlotte to the west.  Moderate drought conditions continue over the remainder of the Piedmont.  Eastern North Carolina has been fortunate enough to receive ample moisture during the winter.  Abnormally dry conditions have developed near Interstate 95 but communites further east to the coast have normal conditions.  The current forecast calls for dry weather to continue through the weekend so dry conditions will likely intensify over the next week.