Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid April 2, 2025
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This will be the last Drought Information Statement until Severe Drought (D2) conditions redevelop.
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 
MODERATE DROUGHT (D1) COVERS DORCHESTER COUNTY IN MARYLAND, WESTMORELAND COUNTY IN VIRGINIA AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA NEAREST THE ALBEMARLE SOUND

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought intensity and Extent
D1 (Moderate Drought): Dorchester County in Maryland, Westmoreland County in Virginia, as well as portions of northeast North Carolina nearest the Albemarle Sound.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change
 
Drought conditions have either improved or had no change in classification over the last four weeks across much of eastern Virginia, the lower Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina. 

Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions or a 1-class degradation have developed across the eastern Virginia Piedmont during March. 
 

Precipitation
A swath of above normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days across portions of eastern Virginia and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore.
Below normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days for much of northeast North Carolina, southside Hampton Roads and the Piedmont of Virginia. 


Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Below normal or much-below-normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across much of NWS Wakefield’s hydrologic service area. 

Mitigation Actions
State of Virginia continues the drought watch for the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore. 
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 much of NWS Wakefield’s hydrologic service area. 


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Between one-half inch and one inch of precipitation is expected over the next 7 days, ending April 8, 2025. 


Long-Range Outlooks
There is an equal chance of precipitation amounts being above or below normal from April 1st through the end of June.

Above normal temperatures are favored from April 1st through the end of June.


Drought Outlook
Drought conditions are expected to persist through the end of June across northeast North Carolina adjacent to the Albemarle Sound.