BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Drought conditions are hanging on in the Eastern Panhandle.
This week, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its latest monthly drought outlook for May 2025, showing where drought is expected to improve, worsen, or remain the same over the next month.
The Eastern Panhandle, including Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties persist in the D2 designation for “Severe Drought” conditions.
The drought is affecting 265,400 residents in West Virginia, according to the US Drought Monitor, which records this past March as the 5th driest on record since 1895.
The U.S. Drought Monitor predicts drought conditions are expected to remain but improve over the next month.
It is a concern for growers in the area, as growing season is in full swing. Livestock farmers may have to plan ahead for feeding and watering their animals should the drought persist.
Last year, the region underwent what agriculture officials in the state called ‘historic” drought conditions.
West of the Eastern Panhandle, conditions improve, although the Potomac Highlands are in a moderate drought with some areas west of there classified as ‘abnormally dry.’
The middle and western areas of the Mountain State, which have benefitted from a number of moisture-laden storm systems this spring have been spared so far this year from abnormally dry conditions.