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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Virginia

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 Virginia 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 Virginia.

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Drought watches are issued
  • Voluntary water conservation is requested
  • Grass growth slows; lawns begin to go brown
22.5
of VA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Corn yield is low; soybean, cotton, hay, and pastures are stressed
  • Fire danger increases; burn bans begin
  • Voluntary water restrictions are requested; river water levels are lower; streams are dry
0.8
of VA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay and pasture supply is low; cattle are weaned early; producers are feeding livestock supplemental hay and baling corn for feed
  • Fire frequency increases
  • Mandatory water restrictions are implemented; reservoir levels are low; water table is dropping
0.0
of VA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Cattle are sold; hay is extremely scarce
  • Lakes are nearly dry
0
of VA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures are instituted
  • Crop yields are down; livestock sales increase
  • Fire season begins early; fire danger is high; burn bans are enacted; events are canceled
0
of VA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Drought watches are issued
  • Voluntary water conservation is requested
  • Grass growth slows; lawns begin to go brown
4.9
of VA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Corn yield is low; soybean, cotton, hay, and pastures are stressed
  • Fire danger increases; burn bans begin
  • Voluntary water restrictions are requested; river water levels are lower; streams are dry
0.8
of VA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay and pasture supply is low; cattle are weaned early; producers are feeding livestock supplemental hay and baling corn for feed
  • Fire frequency increases
  • Mandatory water restrictions are implemented; reservoir levels are low; water table is dropping
0.0
of VA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Cattle are sold; hay is extremely scarce
  • Lakes are nearly dry
0
of VA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures are instituted
  • Crop yields are down; livestock sales increase
  • Fire season begins early; fire danger is high; burn bans are enacted; events are canceled
0
of VA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Drought watches are issued
  • Voluntary water conservation is requested
  • Grass growth slows; lawns begin to go brown
5.7
of VA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Corn yield is low; soybean, cotton, hay, and pastures are stressed
  • Fire danger increases; burn bans begin
  • Voluntary water restrictions are requested; river water levels are lower; streams are dry
0.8
of VA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay and pasture supply is low; cattle are weaned early; producers are feeding livestock supplemental hay and baling corn for feed
  • Fire frequency increases
  • Mandatory water restrictions are implemented; reservoir levels are low; water table is dropping
0.0
of VA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Cattle are sold; hay is extremely scarce
  • Lakes are nearly dry
0
of VA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Voluntary and mandatory water conservation measures are instituted
  • Crop yields are down; livestock sales increase
  • Fire season begins early; fire danger is high; burn bans are enacted; events are canceled
0
of VA
(D4)
0
people in Virginia are affected by drought
0
counties with USDA disaster designations
62nd
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
62nd
wettest 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.

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Drought in Virginia from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Virginia lasted 103 weeks beginning on May 1, 2007, and ending on April 14, 2009. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 20, 2002, where D4 affected 30.53% of Virginia land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to