Drought conditions worsen across Eastern Shore despite recent rains

The National Weather Service says drought conditions have continued to deteriorate across portions of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with parts of Accomack County and northern Northampton County experiencing a one-category, or Class 1, degradation in drought status over the past month.

In its latest Drought Information Statement issued June 11, the National Weather Service office in Wakefield reported that severe and extreme drought conditions continue to expand across eastern Virginia, including portions of the Eastern Shore.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions worsened across parts of Accomack County and northern Northampton County during the past four weeks as below-normal rainfall continued to impact the region.

The report notes that streamflows remain significantly below normal. Twenty-eight-day average streamflow levels are classified as “much below normal” to “extremely low” across much of eastern Virginia, reflecting the cumulative effects of prolonged dry conditions.

Much of the Eastern Shore has received less than 50 percent of its normal precipitation during the past 30 days. While scattered showers have provided limited relief in some locations, rainfall has generally been insufficient to offset ongoing moisture deficits.

Agricultural impacts continue to be reported across the region. The Weather Service cited poor hay conditions and stress on crops such as corn and soybeans in drought-affected areas. Water conservation measures also remain in effect in some Virginia communities.

Virginia continues to maintain a drought warning for much of central and eastern Virginia, including Accomack and Northampton counties.

Forecasters expect daily opportunities for showers and thunderstorms through at least the middle of next week, with rainfall totals forecast to be near or slightly above normal across eastern Virginia. However, meteorologists caution that any short-term rainfall is unlikely to significantly improve drought conditions.

Long-range outlooks continue to favor above-normal temperatures through the summer months. The Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal drought outlook indicates drought conditions are expected to persist across much of the region through at least the end of August.

The National Weather Service plans to issue its next drought update around July 9 unless conditions change significantly before then.