USWaterLevels

🌵 West Virginia Drought Monitor

Current drought conditions and weekly trends for West Virginia. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.

Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D2 Dominant

West Virginia is in Severe Drought

Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026

Drought Category Breakdown

Percentage of West Virginia's land area in each drought category.

98%
91%
71%
11%
No Drought
2.2%
D0 — Abnormally Dry
97.8%
D1 — Moderate Drought
90.5%
D2 — Severe Drought
70.8%
D3 — Extreme Drought
11.3%
D4 — Exceptional Drought
0.0%

📋 Drought Impact Assessment

Severe drought (D2) currently affects 70.82% of West Virginia, with an additional 90.54% experiencing moderate drought (D1). Only 2.2% of the land area is free from drought conditions, while 97.8% is classified as abnormally dry. The total area under moderate drought or worse encompasses 172.7% of the state.

The severe drought has significant implications for water users across West Virginia. Municipal water supplies are strained, leading to mandatory water restrictions in several communities. Reservoir storage levels are declining, impacting both agricultural practices and river flows. Farmers face challenges due to insufficient moisture for crops, which could result in reduced yields and increased costs. The ongoing drought conditions are likely to strain resources further, affecting both urban and rural areas reliant on consistent water availability.