Drought conditions across the northern half of Georgia are worsening, with water levels in lakes and streams at near record levels, state Climatologist David Stooksbury said Thursday.

Thurmond Lake and the two reservoirs upstream on the Savannah River -- Lakes Hartwell and Russell -- are at or near record low levels, Dr. Stooksbury said. "Both Russell and (Thurmond) have less than two feet of usable pool left."

Lake Lanier, a major source of water for the Atlanta area, is at a record low level for mid-November, he said.

Portions of Lincoln and Wilkes counties are in exceptional drought -- the most extreme category. Richmond, Columbia and McDuffie counties are in extreme drought, the second-worst category, Dr. Stooksbury said.

He said there is no indication that the upcoming winter will be abnormally wet or dry.