Drought in Virginia, December 1 to 31, 2023

Severe Drought conditions already in place at the beginning of the month for all of Grayson County persisted until December 12th, when two low pressure systems passing across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th brought rainfall amounts ranging from one to two inches to the county. This precipitation resulted in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Additional precipitation of two to three inches on December 26th and 27th resulted in removal of drought for the eastern third of the county, resulting in improvement to Abnormally Dry conditions for this area through the remainder of the month. Monthly precipitation totals ranged from four inches to locally seven inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions already in place by the end of November 2023 for all of Carroll County persisted until December 12th, when two low pressure systems passing across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches to the county. This precipitation resulted in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Additional precipitation of 1.5 to 2.5 inches on December 26th and 27th resulted in removal of drought for the southern half of the county, resulting in improvement to Abnormally Dry conditions for this area through the remainder of the month. Monthly precipitation totals ranged from 4.5 inches to locally 6 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions already in place by the end of November 2023 for all of Patrick County persisted until December 12th, when two low pressure systems passing across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 2.25 inches to the county. This precipitation resulted in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Additional precipitation of two to locally five inches on December 26th and 27th resulted in removal of drought for much of the county, resulting in improvement to Abnormally Dry conditions through the remainder of the month. Monthly precipitation totals ranged from four inches to locally nine inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions already in place at the beginning of the month for Henry County persisted until December 12th, when two low pressure systems passing across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches to the county. This precipitation resulted in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Additional precipitation of one to two inches during the following week resulted in removal of drought for the entire county, resulting in improvement to Abnormally Dry conditions for Henry County through the remainder of the month. Monthly precipitation totals ranged from 4.5 inches to locally 6.5 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for Pittsylvania County improved on December 12th for all of the county except the northeast corner due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for all but the northeast corner to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional one to two inches across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement, with the northeast corner improving to Moderate Drought status, while the northwest corner improved to Abnormally Dry conditions. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for Halifax County improved on December 12th for the southern third of the county due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the southern third of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 2 to 2.5 inches across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement, with the remainder of the county improving to Moderate Drought status. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place by the end of November 2023 for Charlotte County improved on December 12th for the northern half of the county due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the northern half of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1.25 to 1.75 inches across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement, with the remainder of the county improving to Moderate Drought status. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions already in place at the beginning of the month for all of Floyd County persisted until December 12th, when two low pressure systems passing across the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to nearly three inches to the county. This precipitation resulted in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Monthly precipitation totals ranged from 4.5 inches to locally seven inches near the crest of the Blue Ridge. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for Franklin County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2.25 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the entire county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1 to 1.5 inches of rain across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement to the southeast half of the county to an Abnormally Dry status. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for the extreme southern portion of Smyth County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the extreme southern portion of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1 to 2 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th, however no additional improvements in drought status were made. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for the southern half of Wythe County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the southern half of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional one to two inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th, however no additional improvements in drought status were made. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for all but the extreme northwest corner of Montgomery County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from two to locally three inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1.25 to 1.75 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th, however no additional improvements in drought status were made. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month for roughly the southern half of Pulaski County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1.25 to 1.75 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th, however no additional improvements in drought status were made. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved for all of Roanoke County on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to locally close to three inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th, however no additional improvements in drought status occurred before the end of the month. Roanoke County, along with the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, recorded a monthly total of precipitation ranging from around 4.5 inches to close to seven inches near the crest of the Blue Ridge. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month across southeast Craig County improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.25 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the southeastern portion of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 0.75 to 1.5 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th into the 27th, however no additional improvements in drought status were made. Precipitation totals for the month ranged from 3.5 inches to around 4.5 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1 to 1.75 inches of rain fell across the county on December 26th and 27th, however no additional improvements in drought status occurred before the end of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved for Bedford County on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.75 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1 to 2 inches across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement, where the southern portion of the county improved to Abnormally Dry conditions. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th for all but the southeast corner of Campbell county county due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for most of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. An additional 1.5 to 1.75 inches across the county during the 17th to the 18th brought further improvement, with the remainder of the Severe Drought area improving to Moderate Drought status, and the southwest corner of the county improving to Abnormally Dry conditions. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2.25 to 2.5 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for the western three quarters of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor, and for Moderate Drought conditions across the eastern-most quarter of the county to improve to Abnormally Dry conditions. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Countywide precipitation totals ranged between 5 and 6 inches for the month. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2.5 to nearly 3 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for the western half of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor, and for Moderate Drought conditions across the eastern half of the county to improve to Abnormally Dry conditions. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Precipitation totals for the county for December ranged from 5 inches to locally 6.5 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved for the southern two thirds of the county on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 2.25 to 2.75 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for the southern two thirds of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. The northern third of the county improved to Moderate Drought conditions the following week due to additional precipitation across the county ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Precipitation totals for the county for December ranged from five inches to locally six inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from two to three inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Precipitation totals for the county for December ranged from 3.5 inches to locally a little over six inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th for much of the county due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 1.75 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for all but the northeast corner of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Precipitation totals for the county for December ranged from 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.

Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month improved on December 12th for much of the county due to the passage of two low pressure systems crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic during the period of December 3rd to the 10th. These systems brought rainfall amounts ranging from 1.5 to 1.75 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow Severe Drought conditions for the eastern half of the county to be improved to Moderate Drought per the U.S. Drought Monitor, while the western half of the county continued to observe Moderate Drought. No additional changes occurred during the remainder of the month. Precipitation totals for the county for December ranged from 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches. The precipitation moistened leaf litter and other fuels that support wildland fire activity. There was no reported impacts to agriculture in December, with some farmers reporting that the lack of soggy ground make work in the fields easier to accomplish.