Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid November, 07, 2024
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated November, 21, 2024 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. 
INITIAL ISSUANCE
DROUGHT CONDITIONS WORSENING.
SEVERE DROUGHT COVERS MUCH OF THE LOWER MD EASTERN SHORE AND THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA


Drought intensity and Extent
D2 (Severe Drought): Lower MD and VA Eastern Shore, Northern Neck of VA.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of the area east of I-95.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Remainder of the local area. 

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Over the past 4 weeks, the entire region has see worsening drought conditions, with the largest change mainly east of I-95. 
 

Precipitation
Little or no precipitation has fallen across the region over the last 30 days.
In fact, some stations are recording their longest stretch of precipitation free days.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
River Streamflows and subsurface water levels have gradually dropped over the past few weeks. Streamflow across the MD eastern shore and parts of central Virginia are below or much below normal.

Fire Hazard Impacts
There is an above normal wildfire risk for much of the region for the month of November

Mitigation Actions
State of Virginia continues the drought watch for much of eastern Virginia
State of Maryland continues the drought watch for the eastern shore. 
A drought advisory is in effect for all of North Carolina


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Below to much below normal streamflows are currently observed across the VA/MD Eastern Shore and the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia

Fire Hazard Impacts
Due to the lack of rainfall combined with falling leaves and low fuel moisture, there is an above normal risk for wildfire potential across much of the area in November. 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Although some places will see light precipitation over the next week, significant precipitation causing improvement to the drought conditions is unlikely. Most places will see less than 0.25” of rain for the next week. 

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
At or below normal precipitation is favored for much of the region in November.
Above normal temperatures are favored for the month of November.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Over the next month, drought conditions are expected to persist or develop over much of the region.
Throughout the winter, some locations in eastern Virginia into Maryland may see gradual improvement in drought conditions.