Drought Update

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality sent this bulletin at 11/06/2026 02:17 PM EST

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DEQ.Virginia.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 6, 2026

CONTACT: Irina Calos
(804) 659-1333
irina.calos@deq.virginia.gov

DROUGHT UPDATE

York James region drought advisory escalated, other drought advisories continued

Richmond, Va. – Due to longer-term dry conditions and recent below-normal precipitation, the Drought Monitoring Task Force (DMTF) has recommended the escalation of the York James drought evaluation region from a watch to warning advisory.

The York James drought evaluation region includes Charles City, James City, New Kent, and York counties and the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg.

All other drought advisories were maintained as follows:

A drought emergency advisory for:

Roanoke River: Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke counties and the cities of Danville, Martinsville, Roanoke, and Salem

Drought warning advisories for:

Chowan: Brunswick, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Lunenburg, Nottoway, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, and Sussex counties and the cities of Emporia and Franklin
Eastern Shore: Accomack and Northampton counties
Middle James*: Albemarle, Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Nelson, Powhatan, Prince Edward counties and the cities of Charlottesville and Lynchburg
Northern Coastal Plain: Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties
Southeast Virginia: Isle of Wight County and the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach

Drought watch advisories for:

Northern Piedmont: Culpeper, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties and the City of Fredericksburg
Northern Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park
Middle James*: Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico counties and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond
Shenandoah: Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester
Upper James: Alleghany, Bath, Botetourt, Craig, Highland, and Rockbridge counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Covington, and Lexington

And no drought advisory for:

Big Sandy: Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and the cities of Bristol, and Norton
New River: Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe counties and the cities of Galax, and Radford

The DMTF considered the following information in its advisory recommendations:

Streamflow levels continued to decline and are below normal across central and southeastern Virginia, including the Chowan, James, Pamunkey, Roanoke, and South Fork Shenandoah River basins

Soil moisture remains much drier than normal in both shallow- and medium-depth soils.

Groundwater levels continued to decline, with below-normal groundwater conditions persisting across much of the state east of the New River drought evaluation region.

Reservoir levels remained within normal operating ranges with the exceptions of Smith Mountain Lake and John Kerr reservoir which remain much below average, and Lake Anna and Beaverdam reservoir which remain slightly below average.

Precipitation over the last 14 days was below normal statewide. Western areas received the highest totals, with up to 0.5 inch of rainfall, while central and eastern areas received no measurable precipitation.

Producers reported no new, immediate drought-related impacts on agriculture this week. Dry conditions have allowed producers to harvest under favorable conditions.

In response to drought conditions, Governor Spanberger is encouraging Virginians to conserve water during this drought.

The seven-day forecast calls for Virginia's Piedmont region to receive above-normal precipitation totals of 1 to 2 inches, while northern and western portions of the state are expected to receive below-normal totals ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 of an inch.

The DMTF will meet next on Nov. 10.

Additional information on the current drought status is available on the DEQ drought webpage and Drought Dashboard, which includes interactive data on stream gages, groundwater wells, soil moisture, and precipitation.

 *Note: The DMTF has three counties and four cities listed under watch status in the Middle James, however the rest of the region remains in warning status.

About DEQ

The Department of Environmental Quality protects and enhances Virginia's environment and promotes the health and well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth. We are committed to cleaner water, improved air quality, and the productive re-use of contaminated land.

For more information, please visit www.DEQ.Virginia.gov.

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