Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore Valid February 19, 2026 Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA Contact Information: This product will be updated around March 19, 2026 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. EXTREME DROUGHT INTRODUCED IN NORTHAMPTON AND BERTIE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA MODERATE TO SEVERE DROUGHT EXISTS ACROSS MUCH OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN VIRGINIA, NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA AND THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): A small portion of interior northeast NC. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of the eastern VA Piedmont and interior northeast NC. D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of eastern Virginia and the lower MD Eastern Shore. D0 (Abnormally Dry): A small area of east-central VA and Dorchester County, MD. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: An area north of Richmond; a portion of south-central Virginia from the Tri-Cities to Williamsburg; slivers in interior northeast North Carolina No Change: Most of the remainder of the local area Drought Improved: A sliver in Amelia and Nottoway County. Precipitation Below normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days for much of the area. The driest conditions (25-50% of normal precip) have been observed across interior northeast North Carolina. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Below normal to much-below-normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across the Chowan River basin in Virginia and North Carolina. In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing much-below-normal 7-day streamflows. Mitigation Actions State of Virginia continues the drought warning for south-central Virginia, including the Chowan River Basin. State of Virginia continues the drought watch for portions of central and eastern Virginia, including the middle James River Basin, the Northern Coastal Plain and the lower Peninsula. State of Maryland continues the drought warning for the lower Maryland Eastern Shore. A drought advisory is in effect for all of northeast North Carolina. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Below normal to much-below-normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across the Chowan River basin in Virginia and North Carolina. In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing much-below-normal 7-day streamflows. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 02/17/2026 Virginia NC MD Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Between 0.75-1.25 inches of precipitation is generally expected over the next 7 days, ending February 25th. Higher amounts of 1.5-2.5 inches of precipitation are possible across the Northern Neck and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia over the next 7 days, ending February 25th. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Near-normal precipitation is favored through the end of April 2026. Above normal temperatures are favored through the end of April 2026. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist for much of the area through the end of April 2026.