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The Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force has issued another in its series of bi-weekly updates on state-wide drought conditions.
The report notes that, despite widely scattered and severe thunderstorms during July and the first part of August, “Virginia continues to be under extreme drought conditions.” The effects of the drought, so far, have been mostly limited to agriculture and forestry. The task force predicted, however, that “the next sector most likely to be seriously affected will be the water supply systems for both municipal and industrial users.” Although some water systems (mainly in the Tidewater area) have experienced shortages, “so far these communities have been able to manage their supplies.”
According to the task force’s report, Virginia ranks third of the five states classified as experiencing “severe drought conditions” according to the Palmer Drought Severity Index. The index is a reflection of deviation from a normal reading of wet or dry and indicates general conditions. It does not reflect local variations.
The Western Piedmont region reported the most extreme drought reading, with an estimated 15.44 inches needed to end the drought condition. The Tidewater area is the second most severely hit by the lack of rain. That region will require almost 14 and one-half inches of precipitation to return to a normal pattern. The Southwestern region was the only area not reporting a reading on the Palmer index in the “extreme” range. Its reading, however, was still in the “severe” range.
Streamflows and ground water levels continue to decrease generally across the state. The area north and east of Charlottesville was the only exception, according to the report. Streamflows increased slightly in that area, “but were still well below normal for July.” Flows at all stream monitoring stations across the state except one were in the lowest 25 percent of recorded levels for the month.
The report added that at certain times of the day “with favorable tide conditions in the Albemarle Sound,”
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