Governor Northam Friday issued a state-wide drought watch advisory, which initiates no action, but encourages citizens to begin preparations for a potential drought that could affect water supplies. It is about low rainfall and record-breaking high temperatures.
There is a burning ban in effect in multiple localities. The James River is low. Richmond is talking about voluntary water conservation and some crops, particularly in the west, have been damaged.
"Much of Central Virginia is in moderate drought," said Meteorologist Andrew Zimmerman. "With a few areas, especially west of the Richmond metro area now considered in severe drought."
He says it is cooler.
"A little bit of a pattern change, we are having more frequent cold front passages, but we’re not looking at much moisture with that either."
But he does not expect that to help much.
"Next chance of rain looks like later Sunday into Sunday evening as a cold front stalls over the area, but at this time we are not looking at a large widespread rainfall."
