ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Almost 90-percent of the Commonwealth of Virginia is currently in a drought.

The situation is getting the attention of farmers, firefighters, and municipal governments.

According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, 40 percent of Virginia is in a moderate drought, while 49% of the state is in severe drought.

Snow cover this past winter and scattered rain showers earlier this spring were beneficial, but not enough to pull our region out of drought status. According to the NWS, Albemarle County is 2.4 inches short on rainfall this year. Shenandoah and Page counties are 1.8 inches short, while Augusta County is 1.9 inches short, and Rockingham County is 1.1 inches below normal.

The forecast is not favorable when it comes to rain. Between now and April 19, most of Virginia will likely see below-normal precipitation.