Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid January 10, 2025
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated January 31, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/AKQ/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Questions or comments can be sent to jonathan.mcgee@noaa.gov 
SEVERE DROUGHT (D2) CONTINUES FOR PORTIONS OF THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE AND THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA
MODERATE DROUGHT (D1) CONTINUES FOR FAR EASTERN VIRGINIA, NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND PORTIONS OF SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Lower MD Eastern Shore and the Northern Neck of Virginia.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Far eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and portions of south-central Virginia.

Precipitation
Below normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days from the Northern Neck of Virginia southwest into south-central Virginia and also on the Virginia Eastern Shore and across much of northeast North Carolina. 

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
Below normal to much-below-normal streamflow levels are currently found across much of eastern Virginia, the lower Maryland Eastern Shore and in northeast North Carolina.

Mitigation Actions
State of Virginia continues the drought watch for much of eastern Virginia and also portions of northern Virginia, including the Shenandoah Valley.
State of Maryland continues the drought warning for the Eastern Shore. 
A drought advisory is in effect for all of northeast North Carolina.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Much-below-normal streamflows are currently observed across the lower MD Eastern Shore and the lower Potomac, Rappahannock and York River basins.

Below-normal streamflows encompass much of the lower James and Chowan River basins and the Virginia Eastern Shore.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Most locations will see between 0.25-0.75” of liquid precipitation over the next 7 days. 


Long-Range Outlooks
Near- to below normal precipitation is favored from now through the end of March.
Above normal temperatures are favored from now through the end of March.


Drought Outlook
During January, drought conditions are expected to persist across eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
No drought improvement is expected in these same areas through the end of March.