Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid March 19, 2026
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated around April 17, 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 CONTINUES FOR A SMALL SLIVER OF  NORTHAMPTON AND BERTIE COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA

MODERATE TO SEVERE DROUGHT CONTINUES 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): A small sliver of the eastern VA Piedmont and interior northeast NC. 
 
D1 (Moderate Drought): Areas north of Richmond, VA, including the VA Northern Neck, and also far southern VA, the remainder of northeast NC and most of the VA and lower MD Eastern Shore.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change
 
Drought Worsened: None
No Change:  Most of the the local area
Drought Improved: A sliver from the Tri-Cities to the lower Peninsula of VA 
 

30 day percent of normal Precipitation
Near- to slightly-above-normal precipitation has been observed during the past 30 days over the area. 


Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Below normal streamflows are currently observed across the York and lower Rappahannock River basins in Virginia.
In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing much-below-normal 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 streamflows are currently observed across the York and lower Rappahannock River basins in Virginia.
In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing much-below-normal streamflows. 


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Less than 0.25” of precipitation is  expected over the next 7 days, ending March 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 May 2026.

Above normal temperatures are favored through the end of May 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 May 2026.