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| NOAA's three-month precipitation outlook |
The latest Drought Monitor Index shows moderate to severe drought conditions across the D.C. Metropolitan Area. That’s not good news during the spring growing season with the hotter summer months not far off.
The nation’s capital has experienced very warm and dry weather over the last year that has exacerbated the drought conditions. For the 12 months from April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025, there is a rainfall deficit of 9.15”. Since Washington, D.C. averages 41.82” of rain for the entire year, according to NOAA, an annualized rainfall deficit of more than 20% is significant.
Eight of the last 12 months have been drier than average in the nation’s capital dating back to last April. Making the dry conditions even worse is how unusually warm the last year has been. 2024 was the warmest year on record in the nation’s capital. Two of the first three months of 2025 have also been warmer than average.
Not only did Washingtonians sweat through six days of triple-digit heat last summer, but November 2024 was DC’s warmest on record. March 2025 also finished nearly seven degrees warmer than average. Adding such hot weather on top of below average rainfall makes the dry conditions even worse as moisture is lost to evaporation.
There is some hope for D.C. area gardeners with several chances of rain in the forecast over the next week. NOAA’s recently issued three-month forecast for May, June and July also contains some good news. Much of the Mid-Atlantic Region has a 50%-60% probability for above average rainfall.
The best way to make up such a significant rainfall deficit would be to have several consecutive rainier than average months. That would gradually make up the missed rainfall and is much better than having record-setting rainfall. Heavy, flooding rainfall often washes away instead of soaking into the ground. Rather than helping alleviate drought conditions, heavy rain can cause damage instead of helping gardeners and farmers.
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