Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore 
Valid July 9, 2026
Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated around August 6, 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.

Portions of central and eastern Virginia, the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore and northeast North Carolina remain in Severe (D2) and Extreme (D3) Drought.
A 1- to 2-class improvement in drought status has occurred over eastern VA, northeast NC and southeast MD over the past 4 weeks.  


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 remain in voluntary and/or mandatory water conservation status.
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 normal precipitation through late July,  significant drought improvement is still not expected through September.



Current Drought Conditions
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map and Four-Week Change
 
Main Takeaways
A 1- to 2-class improvement in drought status has occurred over eastern VA, northeast NC and southeast MD over the past 4 weeks. 
  Image Caption:
Left: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT July 7.
Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 8am EDT July 7.

 

Latest 30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal Precipitation

Observed Precipitation
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, some containing heavy rain, have allowed for above normal rainfall totals across portions of eastern VA, northeast NC and southeast MD over the past 30 days. 
Unfortunately, the eastern VA Piedmont, interior northeast NC and the VA Eastern Shore have missed 
out on this rainfall and still indicate below normal totals. 
  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 July 9


Mitigation Actions
State of Virginia has a drought warning in place 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.



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. 

  Image Caption: USGS 28 Day Average Streamflow Anomaly valid July 8



Latest 7-Day Precipitation Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
A typical summertime pattern will continue through the coming weekend. 

Showers and afternoon thunderstorms will be possible each day through Sunday, July 12th.
  
Temperatures will rise above normal and rainfall chances will lower next week. 

Precipitation amounts are forecast to be near- or below normal across eastern VA, lower MD and northeast NC over the next 7 days. 

  Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid July 9-16


Seasonal Outlooks
Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
There is no clear signal for above or below normal precipitation through September 30, 2026.

Above normal temperatures are favored through September 30, 2026.

Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly & Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks



Seasonal Outlook
Drought Outlook
Drought conditions are expected to persist for much of the area through the end of September 2026.

Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook