Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore Valid June 11, 2026 Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA Contact Information: This product will be updated around July 9, 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. Much of central and eastern Virginia, the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina are in Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought. Key Points Impacts: 28-day average streamflow anomalies are characterized as being in the “Much Below” to “Extreme Low” percentile class across most major river basins in central and eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore. Numerous municipalities have moved to voluntary and/or mandatory water conservation. There are many reports of poor hay condition and stress on crops such as corn and soybeans. Mitigation Actions: State of Virginia continues the drought warning for most of central and eastern Virginia. 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 due to moderate to severe drought conditions. While the current precipitation forecast calls for near- to potentially above normal precipitation in the next 7-10 days and some hint of above-normal precipitation possible through late June, there is no clear signal for significant drought improvement through the summer months. Current Drought Conditions Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map and Four-Week Change Main Takeaways Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continue to expand. Image Caption: Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT June 9. Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EDT June 9. Latest 30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal Precipitation Observed Precipitation A swath of above normal precipitation occurred from Farmville to Chesterfield to near Williamsburg, VA in late May. Otherwise, a large portion of NWS Wakefield’s Hydrologic Service Area has seen less than 50% percent of normal precipitation over the past 30 days. Image Captions: Left - 30 Day Observed Precipitation; Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service. Data over the past 30 days ending June 11 Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts 28-day average streamflow anomalies are characterized as being in the “Much Below” to “Extreme Low” percentile class across most major river basins in central and eastern Virginia, northeast North Carolina and the lower Maryland Eastern Shore. The exception is in portions of the Appomattox and Nottoway River basins where 28-day average streamflow anomalies are “Normal”. Image Caption: USGS 28 Day Average Streamflow Anomaly valid June 11 Latest 7-Day Precipitation Forecast Precipitation Forecast A warm and humid pattern will continue through the middle of next week. Showers and afternoon thunderstorms will be possible each day through Sunday, June 14th. Precipitation amounts are forecast to be near- or above normal across eastern VA, lower MD and northeast NC over the next 7 days. Precipitation amounts are forecast to be near- to below normal across the VA Piedmont. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid June 11-18 Seasonal Outlooks Temperature and Precipitation Outlook There is no clear signal for above or below normal precipitation through August 31, 2026. Above normal temperatures are favored through August 31, 2026. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly & Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Near- to above normal precipitation is favored from May 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026. Seasonal Outlook Drought Outlook Drought conditions are expected to persist for much of the area through the end of August 2026. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook 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 August 2026. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook