The drought conditions plaguing parts of Virginia, including Fairfax County, since last fall are officially the worst the state has experienced in almost 20 years.
Yesterday (Thursday), the U.S. Drought Monitor classified over 60% of Virginia as being in a severe drought based on data collected through Tuesday (April 14). That’s the most widespread drought seen in the state since October 2007, surpassing levels recorded during previous droughts in 2008, 2010, 2023 and 2024, according to Fairfax County.
Unfortunately, conditions are only getting drier across our area without any appreciable rainfall. A prolonged period of warm and dry weather has worsened conditions significantly. Currently, over 60% of Virginia is classified as D2 (Severe Drought) or higher. Here is the latest: pic.twitter.com/vZ0WLOpZ6k
— NWS Wakefield (@NWSWakefieldVA) April 17, 2026
“A prolonged stretch of warm, dry weather that began in fall 2025 has steadily worsened conditions across the state, and there is no significant rain in the immediate forecast,” the county government said in an emergency blog post.
According to the Drought Monitor, most of the county is in a moderate drought, but conditions are severe about 21% of the county in the southeastern area.
All of Virginia is now under a drought warning or watch advisory after the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today that it has expanded warnings to include 83 counties and 31 cities, while also introducing watches in 12 counties and seven cities.
Fairfax County and the rest of Northern Virginia have been under a drought warning since January, meaning a significant drought event is “imminent.” Before that, a drought watch had been in place since November.
The expansion was recommended by the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, which met on Tuesday and found that precipitation, streamflow, groundwater and well levels have been below normal throughout the Commonwealth. Higher-than-normal temperatures, including a record high for April 15 on Wednesday, have further dried out the area, exacerbating the drought and increasing the danger of fires.
More from Fairfax County on the drought conditions:
Rainfall across Virginia has been below normal for an extended period, particularly in the central and southern parts of the state. Soil moisture is well below normal statewide, with notable drying in the past two weeks. Streamflow levels are well below normal, and several stream gauges in the Dan, New and Rappahannock River basins have set provisional single-day record lows.
Groundwater levels have declined throughout the state. The drops are most severe in Northern Virginia, along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and near Roanoke.
Temperatures have run significantly above normal, accelerating moisture loss. Most of the state is forecast to receive less than a tenth of an inch of rain in the coming week.
The drought has persisted despite some significant winter weather earlier this year, led by the late January storm that packed in plenty of ice in addition to over 8 inches of snow. Some piles of the resulting “snowcrete” lingered in the D.C. region into April.
According to its status report, the state’s drought monitoring task force discussed “procedural elements” for declaring drought emergencies at its meeting on Tuesday and “agreed to revisit” the subject when it next meets on April 28.
For now, Fairfax County continues to encourage residents to take “proactive steps to conserve water,” including cutting back on outdoor water use for watering lawns, washing cars and other activities; fixing any leaks on their property; and limiting dishwasher and washing machine uses to full loads.
The county also urged smokers to be extra cautious about discarding cigarettes and other smoking materials:
Dry conditions make it much easier for a small spark to start a serious fire. Our Fire and Rescue Department has long warned that improperly discarded smoking materials are one of the leading causes of fire in the county. When the ground is dry and vegetation is parched, the risk is even greater.
The department’s “Sink It or Soak It!” campaign offers straightforward guidance for residents who smoke:
- Never toss cigarette butts into mulch, dry soil or shrubbery. Both mulch and overly dry potting soil can ignite easily.
- Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away. A smoldering butt in a trash can is enough to start a fire.
- Use a deep, fireproof ashtray outdoors. Empty it into a container with water and sand, not into a trash bag or bin.
- Never smoke near anything that can burn, including dry leaves, wood piles or outdoor furniture.
