Drought — Bedford, Virginia

2024-08-01 to 2024-08-06 · Bedford, Virginia

Event narrative

Severe Drought conditions in place at the beginning of the month across the northern quarter of Bedford County improved on August 6th due to the passage of a low pressure system crossing the lower Mid-Atlantic on August 2nd and 3rd. This system brought scattered rainfall, with amounts ranging from 1.0 to around 2.0 inches, resulting in an increase in soil moisture, surface stream flows, and ground water levels sufficient to allow drought conditions for that portion of the county to join the remainder of the county in Moderate Drought conditions per the U.S. Drought Monitor. Additional improvement in drought conditions across the county was noted during the same week as Tropical Storm Debby brought an additional 3 to 4 inches of rain to Bedford county on August 8th. The rain was beneficial to stream water levels and soil moisture, however many types of crops did not benefit from the moisture given the later time of the growing season that it arrived. Some farmers reported additional losses to crops from the rainfall given that the increased moisture caused some crops to become infected with disease.

Wider weather episode

The passage of a low pressure system during August 2nd-3rd brought scattered shower and thunderstorm activity to portions of central Virginia, with rainfall amounts ranging from 0.5 inch to two inches during that period. The rainfall, combined with rounds of shower and thunderstorms during the 2nd half of July across the region, was sufficient to allow for continued improvement in drought conditions for portions of Alleghany, Botetourt and Bedford Counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1214966. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.