A line of strong storms packing wind gusts of up to 60 mph moved through Newton County Wednesday evening, dropping the temperature into the 70s in some locations.

There's a 60 percent chance of rain today, according to the National Weather Service. Expect a high of 83 degrees.

The rain is much-needed in Newton County and across the state. The county is considered in severe drought, according to a release today from Georgia Climatologist Dave Stooksbury. Rockdale County is listed as in moderate drought.

It's worse farther south: The lower two-thirds of Georgia is considered to be in exceptional drought, the most severe category, according to Stooksbury.

Short term, the chances for relief are good, with a 30 to 40 percent chance of precipitation each day through Sunday, and a high each day in the low 90s.

The high for Wednesday was 92 degrees at the FFA-FCCLA Center in southern Newton County, according to georgiaweather.net. The area has received .95 inches of rainfall since June 1 and 19.11 since the first of the year. That's about six inches down from precipitation expected to date in an average year. Newton County receives about four inches of rain in an average June.

Stooksbury's long-term forecast is less optimistic. He's calling for hotter, drier conditions through at least mid-August.