Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid February 3, 2025
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated February 28, 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) COVERS THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND AS WELL AS THE NORTHERN NECK AND MIDDLE PENINSULA OF VIRGINIA
MODERATE DROUGHT (D1) COVERS MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA AND ALSO NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): The Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland as well as the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of central and eastern Virginia and also Northeast North Carolina.

Precipitation
Near- to slightly-below-normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days across most of central and eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore. 

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
Below normal or much-below-normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across the lower MD Eastern Shore and the lower Potomac, Rappahannock and lower James River basins.
Near-normal streamflows are found across the eastern Virginia Piedmont and south into the Chowan River Basin.

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
Below normal or much-below-normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across the lower MD Eastern Shore and the lower Potomac, Rappahannock and lower James River basins.

Near-normal streamflows are found across the eastern Virginia Piedmont and south into the Chowan River Basin.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Most locations will see between 0.25-0.75” of liquid precipitation over the next 7 days ending February 9, 2025. 


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


Drought Outlook
During February, drought conditions are expected to persist across eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

Some drought improvement is possible over portions of eastern Virginia and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore during March and April.