HARRIOSNBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Virginia’s drought is now expected to persist through the end of July, according to the latest outlook from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. The new three‑month forecast offers little relief for most of the Commonwealth. The lone exception is Virginia Beach, which is the only locality projected to see any improvement in drought conditions between now and midsummer.

For farmers across central and western Virginia, the timing could not be worse. The USDA reports that field conditions are already being described as “challenging,” and as of Monday, April 13, only 26 percent of producers reported having adequate soil moisture. Small grains and pastures are showing signs of early stress, with topsoil drying rapidly during warm, windy days.

Hydrologists warn that rivers and streams across the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley are running below seasonal norms, a trend that could worsen as temperatures rise. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, several gauges on tributaries of the James and Shenandoah rivers are already approaching low‑flow thresholds typically not seen until late summer.

If the dry pattern holds, the region’s water table may begin to drop, raising concerns for shallow wells and reducing groundwater recharge heading into the heart of the growing season. For now, forecasters say the Commonwealth should prepare for a prolonged dry spell with no meaningful relief in sight.