Drought Information Statement for Eastern/Central VA, NE NC and Lower MD Eastern Shore Valid October 23, 2025 Issued By: NWS Wakefield, VA Contact Information: This product will be updated November 20, 2025 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 SEVERE DROUGHT FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA MODERATE DROUGHT FOR THE EASTERN VIRGINIA PIEDMONT AND SOUTH-CENTRAL VIRGINIA INTO NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA ABNORMALLY DRY FOR THE VIRGINIA NORTHERN NECK, MIDDLE PENINSULA AND THE LOWER MD EASTERN SHORE U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of northeast NC from southern Northampton County through Bertie County and along the north side of the Albemarle Sound. D1 (Moderate Drought): The eastern VA Piedmont, south-central VA and much of the rest of northeast NC. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The VA Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula and much of the rest of eastern VA outside of Hampton Roads. Also includes the lower MD Eastern Shore. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to Latest 4-week change map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change A 1-class degradation in drought status has occurred across much of the area during the past 4 weeks. 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 the eastern Piedmont of VA and southside VA into northeast NC. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Below normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across much of the James, Appomattox and Roanoke River basins. Below normal 7-day streamflows are also currently observed across the York and lower Potomac River basins. In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing below normal to much-below-normal 7-day streamflows. Mitigation Actions State of Virginia continues the drought watch for Mecklenburg County in south-central Virginia. A drought advisory is in effect for all of northeast North Carolina. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Below normal 7-day streamflows are currently observed across much of the James, Appomattox and Roanoke River basins. Below normal 7-day streamflows are also currently observed across the York and lower Potomac River basins. In Maryland, the Nanticoke River basin is experiencing below normal to much-below- normal 7-day streamflows. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 10/22/2025 Virginia NC MD Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Between 0.75-1.25 inches of precipitation is expected over the next 7 days, ending October 30th. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Below normal precipitation is favored from November 1, 2025 through the end of January 2026. Above normal temperatures are favored from November 1, 2025 through the end of January 2026. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist or develop through the end of January 2026 across the eastern Piedmont of VA, south-central VA and northeast NC. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook