Much of the DC region picked up 0.1 to 0.2 inches of rain from strong to severe storms Thursday, with a few spots receiving up to a half-inch. Similar amounts fell Wednesday. The rain was welcome, but neither widespread nor heavy enough to make a significant dent in drought conditions.
Before Thursday's rain, the latest weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor showed much of the DC area still in moderate to severe drought, with conditions worsening in some locations. Southeastern portions of the region are now experiencing extreme drought.
Most of St. Mary's and Calvert counties moved into the Level 3 of 4 extreme drought category, along with areas farther east. Drought conditions also deteriorated east of the Chesapeake Bay and northeast of DC toward Baltimore.
Rainier conditions in May generally favored areas near and west of Interstate 95. Then, until the past few days, most locations saw little rain during the previous two weeks.
Through June 11, DC had received just 8 percent of normal rainfall for the month, while Dulles International Airport had picked up 47 percent of normal. For the year, precipitation deficits across the region range from about 3 to 6 inches.
Additional chances for showers and storms are in the forecast today and Sunday.
