Pockets of Severe drought (D2 per the U.S. Drought Monitor classifications for drought severity) during December 2021 lingered into the first days of January 2022, when a slow moving low pressure system, tapping deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, produced 2 to locally 3.5 inches of mainly rain.  This allowed for a short-term improvement in both stream flows and moisture in the top soil layer that persisted through the remainder of the month.  By January 4th, all pockets of Severe Drought within the NWS Blacksburg Hydrologic Service Area were improved to moderate drought (D1 per the U.S. Drought Monitor classifications for drought severity) due to the combination of this rain and minimal agricultural concerns due to winter dormancy.

Drought in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-22 04:07:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions, declared for the southern half of Charlotte County at the end of November, persisted through January 4th due to precipitation that was significantly below normal during this period. At the beginning of January, NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm was below the 2nd percentile. County streamflows remained below normal through the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were no reported impacts to agriculture and livestock given the late time of the year. Severe drought conditions were improved to moderate drought on the January 4th edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor after 2.5 to locally 3.5 inches of rain fell across the county during January 1st to the 3rd.

Drought in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 04-JAN-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Entering January 2022, Severe drought conditions had been in effect for the extreme southeastern portion of Pittsylvania County since the end of November due to several weeks of precipitation that was significantly below normal. NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm soil at the start of January was below the 2nd percentile. Local streamflows, including the Dan River at Danville (DVLV2), remained below normal through the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. Severe drought conditions were improved to moderate drought on the January 4th edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor after 2.5 to locally 3 inches of rain fell across southeastern portions of the county during January 1st to the 3rd.

Drought in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 01-JAN-22 00:00:00 to 04-JAN-22 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe drought conditions, declared for the southern half of Halifax County at the end of November, persisted through January 4th due to precipitation that was significantly below normal during this period. At the beginning of January, NASA SPoRT LIS data estimated that average soil moisture in the top 100 cm was below the 2nd percentile. Local streamflows, including the Dan River at both Paces (PCEV2) and South Boston (SBNV2), as well as the Banister River at Halifax (HALV2), remained below normal through the month per the USGS WaterWatch website. There were few impacts to agriculture and livestock given the winter time of the year, affecting both winter wheat as well as cover crops designed to reduce soil erosion with only miniscule growth. It is not known if the poor growth resulted in any financial impact. Severe drought conditions were improved to moderate drought on the January 4th edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor after 2 to locally 3.5 inches of rain fell across Halifax County during January 1st to the 3rd.