Drought and Weather Update on the 2026 Growing Season

Abnormally dry winter and spring conditions during the first half of 2026 had many growers across Virginia concerned about a dry growing season and worsening of existing drought. This mid-summer update will review the current state of conditions across the Commonwealth and look ahead through the remainder of this growing season into Autumn and Winter 2026-27. Extended forecast models suggest that a strong (perhaps super-strong) El Nino will develop during coming months. What would a Super-El Nino mean for Virginia and the southern-central Appalachian region?

For more information, please contact Wayne Browning at (804) 760-3932 orwbrowning@vsu.edu

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Source: VSU Extension