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Climate of 2002 - July
Virginia
Drought
National Climatic Data Center, 15 August 2002
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July 2002 was slightly drier than normal, statewide, for Virginia, ranking as the 36th driest July in the 108-year record. However, the severe moisture deficits that have occurred in many of the last 12 months gave the state the driest October-July, September-July, and August-July on record (see table below). August-July precipitation for three of the last four years has been well below the long-term mean. Impacts from the drought include:
- 1,417 wildfires have scorched 18,450 acres through July 31 (according to the National Interagency Fire Center).
- 61% of the state's topsoil was rated as very dry ("short to very short") by the USDA as of July 28.
- 53% of the state's range and pasture lands were reported in poor to very poor condition by the USDA as of July 28.
As noted by the Virginia State Climatology Office, on July 19 the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force reported
- declining streamflow and groundwater levels
- declining levels in some reservoirs
- significant agricultural impacts
- mandatory or voluntary water restrictions are in place in some cities and towns
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NCDC /
Clim. Monitoring /
Climate-2002 /
Jul /
U.S. Regional Drought /
Search /
Help
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2002/jul/st044dv00pcp200207.html
Downloaded Sunday, 07-Sep-2008 21:43:13 EDT
Last Updated Friday, 15-Jul-2005 08:19:36 EDT by Richard.Heim@noaa.gov
Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments.
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