Drought Update Thursday

Rain events over the past week (this map shows rain over the last seven days), especially in western parts of the state, have chiseled away at the some of the drought in Virginia.

This week, about 16% less of the state is considered to be in drought (Moderate to Severe). Our Abnormally Dry region is shrinking, too (this week 11% less than last week). However, much of central Virginia along I-64 and I-95 is still severely dry with no significant change in the drought conditions. Rain chances are nil over the next week in central Virginia. Today as a cold front moves through the state, though, a few isolated showers and storms are possible, but certainly not enough to impact our current drought status.

Tropics Update Thursday Morning

Hurricane Danielle (Cat 2 at 100 mph sustained winds) and Tropical Storm Earl (45 mph sustained winds) are moving through the open, warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Both systems currently do not look like they will impact the U.S., but Bermuda could be impacted by these systems over the next week.

Tropical Storm Earl will likely become a hurricane by late Friday or early Sunday:

Tropics Update: Depression #7 Forms

Tropical Depression #7 just formed in the eastern Atlantic and will likely strengthen into Tropical Storm Earl later today. This system could be at hurricane strength in a few days.

The track of this system is similar to Danielle's, and the long-range data does not indicate that #7/Earl will reach the U.S. East Coast. However, it may be slightly more to the west of Danielle, which means we will be monitoring it very closely!