Drought in Virginia, November 1 to 30, 2023

Severe Drought conditions persisted across Bath County in November, with Exceptional Drought declared for the northeast corner of the county on November 7th. This occurred given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal and, in the eastern part of the county, less than 10 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was around the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflows for the Bullpasture River and Back Creek were observed below the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Bath County on November 10th that continued through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions persisted across Rockbridge County in November, with Exceptional Drought declared for the northern half of the county on November 7th. This occurred given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was between 25 percent and 10 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and 5th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflows for several rivers including the Maury River and the Calfpasture River were below the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Bath County on November 6th that continued through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions persisted across Amherst County in November given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 10 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and 5th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Streamflows for several rivers including the Pedlar River and the James River were below the 10th percentiles by the end of the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for Bath County on November 11th that continued through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the western half of Buckingham County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was between 10 and 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 5th and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Severe Drought conditions were declared on November 7th across the eastern half of Alleghany County in November given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was around 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for most of Botetourt County on November 7th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was around 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for most of Bedford County on November 7th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 25 to 10 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 7th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for northern Campbell County on November 7th given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 5th and the 20th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flows for the Falling River near Naruna and Big Otter Creek near Evington were around the 10th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 10th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the western two thirds of Charlotte County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 5th and the 20th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for Cub Creek at Phenix fell to around the 10th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for all of Halifax County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for the Banister River at Halifax was below the 5th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 17th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the northern portion of Pittsylvania County on November 14th, and then for the remainder of the county on November 21st. This is all given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flows for the Pigg River at Sandy Level and the Sandy River near Danville were below the 25th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 8th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for all of Henry County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flows for the Smith River were below the 10th percentile by the middle of the month at both Martinsville and Bassett, mainly due to reduced flows from Philpott Reservoir. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 8th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the northern portion of Franklin County on November 14th, and then for the remainder of the county on November 21st. This is all given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flows for the Blackwater River near Rocky Mount were below the 25th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the eastern portion of Roanoke County on November 7th, and then for the remainder of the county by November 21st. This is all given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 35 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the eastern portion of Craig County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 40 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was mainly around the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for Johns Creek at New Castle was around the 10th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 12th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for nearly all of Montgomery County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for South Fork Roanoke River at Shawsville was around the 10th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 6th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for nearly all of Floyd County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 6th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the western half of Patrick County on November 14th, and then expanded to include the remaining eastern half on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was around the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 6th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for most of Carroll County on November 14th, and then extended to include the remainder of the county on the 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 5th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 15th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the eastern half of Grayson County on November 14th, and for the remainder of the county on the 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was around 25 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the southern half of Pulaski County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 5th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for New River at Allisonia was less than the 25th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, Pulaski County declared a local emergency after a wildfire burned 536 acres, and a burn ban was issued for the county on November 8th that persisted through November 22nd.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the southern half of Wythe County on November 21st. This is given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 20 to 30 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was mainly around the 2nd percentile by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. Stream flow for the New River at Ivanhoe was below the 25th percentile by the middle of the month. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the end of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the southern-most portion of Smyth County on November 21st given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was 25 to 50 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil for this area was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 9th that persisted through the 27th of the month.

Severe Drought conditions were declared for much of Appomattox County in November given precipitation from the beginning of October through mid-November was less than 10 percent of normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm of soil was between the 2nd and the 10th percentiles by the middle of the month, and deteriorating. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Due to the dryness, a burn ban was issued for the county on November 17th that persisted through the end of the month.