Extremely low precipitation amounts during November 2021 across the southern Piedmont of Virginia resulted in the onset of Severe Drought conditions (D2 per the U.S. Drought Monitor classifications for drought severity).  Less than 5 percent of the normal monthly precipitation for November fell across portions of Halifax, Charlotte and Pittsylvania Counties, greatly intensifying dryness that was already in place during September and October.  As a result of the dryness, streamflows across the region were below-normal to well below-normal for the end of November and soil moisture had diminished to levels of severe to locally extreme dryness.  Because of the late time of the autumn and the onset of cooler temperatures, agriculture was not as highly impacted as it would have been during the warm season, and some farmers welcomed the dryness as it allowed them to work in their fields without contending with mud.  Concerns for increased wildfire activity were present, with county officials across the region either having already implemented burn bans by the end of the month, or were in the planning stages of implementing burn bans.

Drought in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 30-NOV-21 07:00:00 to 30-NOV-21 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the extreme southeastern portion of Pittsylvania County on November 30th after a month of extremely low rainfall totals. The ASOS At Danville Regional Airport (DAN) measured only 0.15 inches of precipitation for the month, or only about 4 percent of the normal amount of 3.46 inches.  This makes November 2021 both the driest November and the 4th-driest month on record dating as far back as 1916.  Because of the dry conditions, officials for both the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County issued a burn ban effective 6:00 pm on the 30th preventing any type of outdoor burning. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100cm soil was around the second percentile, an indicator of extreme dryness, and county streamflows ranged from below-normal to well below-normal per the USGS WaterWatch website.  However, impacts to agriculture and livestock were limited given the late time of the year.  No wildland fires were reported burning that day within the county or the City of Danville.

Drought in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 30-NOV-21 07:00:00 to 30-NOV-21 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the southern half of Charlotte County on November 30th after a month of extremely low rainfall totals. The CoCoRaHS observer at Saxe 4.3 SE (VA-CH-1) measured only 0.10 inches of precipitation for the month, less than 3 percent of the normal amount. No burn bans were put into effect during the month however. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100cm soil was between the 10th and 5th percentiles, an indicator of severe dryness, and county streamflows below-normal per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. There were no wildland fires were reported burning within the county.

Drought in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 30-NOV-21 07:00:00 to 30-NOV-21 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought conditions were declared for the southern half of Halifax County on November 30th after a month of extremely low rainfall totals. The Cooperative Weather Observer (COOP) at South Boston (SOBV2) measured only 0.33 inches of precipitation for the month, nearly 10 percent of the normal amount of 3.40 inches. This month was the 2nd driest November on record for this COOP dating back to 1971, and the 4th driest month overall. No burn bans were put into effect in the county during the month. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100cm soil ranged between the 10th and 2nd percentiles, an indicator of severe to locally extreme dryness, and county streamflows varied between below-normal and well below-normal per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. There were no wildland fires were reported burning within the county.