Drought in Virginia, June 1 to 30, 2026

Severe Drought conditions continued in Alleghany county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 30th to 70th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Jackson River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Amherst county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the James River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Appomattox county late June after a few rainfall events brought some rain to the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the James River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Moderate Drought conditions in Bath county by the end of June after a few rainfall events brought some rain to the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 10.00-15.00 inches, which ended up being 75 to 90 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Cowpasture River, which was observed to be below the 25th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Bedford county in late June after a few rainfall events brought some rain to the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 5th to 10th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the James River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Bland county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Walker Creek, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Botetourt county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 5th to 10th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the James River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Buckingham county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 20th to 30th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the James River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Campbell county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Roanoke River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Carroll county through the end of June after a few rainfall events brought some rain to the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Charlotte county through late June with minor improvements after some rainfall across the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 30th to 70th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Roanoke River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Craig county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Johns Creek, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Floyd county through late June after a few rainfall events brought much needed rain to the county. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Little River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Franklin county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 5th to 10th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Blackwater River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Giles county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Grayson county through late June. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Halifax county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 20th to 30th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Dan River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Henry county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Smith River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Montgomery county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Patrick county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd to 5th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Mayo River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions continued in Pittsylvania county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 10th to 20th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Dan River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Pulaski county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Roanoke county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 5th to 10th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Roanoke River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe Drought conditions in Rockbridge county through late June. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 6.00-8.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 2nd percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Maury River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved to Severe drought conditions in Smyth county through late June after several rainfall events. Drought conditions lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 10.00-15.00 inches, which ended up being 75 to 90 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 30th to 70th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Holston River, which was observed to be below the 10th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Extreme Drought conditions improved significantly to Moderate Drought conditions in Tazewell county through late June after several rainfall events. Drought conditions still lingered; however, after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 10.00-15.00 inches, which ended up being 75 to 90 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 10th percentile for groundwater, and 30th to 70th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the Clinch River, which was observed to be below the 25th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.

Severe Drought conditions continued in Wythe county through late June after the previous several months of March, April, and May recorded precipitation totals of 8.00-10.00 inches, which ended up being 50 to 75 percent of normal for that period. These dry conditions combined with the dry fall conditions leading up to below average rainfall during the winter months, contributed to a rapid decrease in groundwater and soil moisture in this region, where observed values for each had fallen to at or below the 5th percentile for groundwater, and 5th to 10th percentile for soil moisture in the first 0-100 cm based off the NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated on the 30th of June. Streamflows similarly decreased across the area. This included the New River, which was observed to be below the 5th percentile per the USGS WaterWatch website and, in some cases, were near record-low flows.