Dry weather has continued to dominate the Delmarva Peninsula, with the latest drought data showing little improvement and increasing stress across the region. While occasional light rainfall has been observed, precipitation totals remain well below normal, providing minimal benefit to soil moisture, groundwater, or streamflows.
Across Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore, ongoing precipitation deficits have allowed abnormally dry to drought conditions to persist and expand. Soils continue to dry, particularly in agricultural areas, and streamflows remain below seasonal averages; clear indicators that the region remains in a developing drought pattern.
In Delaware, short-term dryness is increasingly transitioning into longer-term impacts, with limited recharge of groundwater and growing concerns for water resources if the dry trend continues. On the Maryland Eastern Shore, reduced soil moisture is beginning to affect winter crop establishment and could pose challenges heading into the early spring growing season if meaningful rainfall does not return. Portions of the Virginia Eastern Shore are experiencing similar conditions, with continued low streamflows and dry soils reinforcing drought development.
Looking ahead, forecasters stress that several widespread, soaking rain events will be necessary to slow or reverse drought conditions across Delmarva. Until a wetter pattern develops, drought impacts are expected to persist through the remainder of the year, with close monitoring in place for further degradation.