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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Maryland

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Maryland using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Maryland. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fire danger is elevated; spring fire season starts early
  • Lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt
68.1
of MD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
  • Honey production declines
  • Wildfires and ground fires increase
26.9
of MD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size
  • Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
  • Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor
0
of MD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially
  • Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business
  • Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed
0
of MD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Maryland has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of MD
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fire danger is elevated; spring fire season starts early
  • Lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt
32.9
of MD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
  • Honey production declines
  • Wildfires and ground fires increase
0.0
of MD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size
  • Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
  • Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor
0
of MD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially
  • Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business
  • Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed
0
of MD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Maryland has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of MD
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fire danger is elevated; spring fire season starts early
  • Lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt
20.4
of MD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
  • Honey production declines
  • Wildfires and ground fires increase
0.0
of MD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size
  • Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
  • Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor
0
of MD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially
  • Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business
  • Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed
0
of MD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Maryland has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of MD
(D4)
803.2 Thousand
people in Maryland are affected by drought
0
counties with USDA disaster designations
25th
driest February was in 2023, over the past 129 years
13th
driest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
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Drought in Maryland from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in Maryland lasted 58 weeks beginning on October 09, 2001, and ending on November 12, 2002. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 20, 2002, where D4 affected 39.88% of Maryland land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to
Regional Drought Updates

Drought Resources for Maryland

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Dry Times Bi-Weekly Drought Newsletter
Issued every other Thursday, Dry Times is an email newsletter with the latest drought news, events, and data & maps.

NOAA Eastern Region Climate Services Webinars
The Northeast Regional Climate Center hosts a monthly webinar with NOAA affiliates to address timely weather and climate concerns.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.