LAUREL, Md. — The mid-Atlantic is bracing for a much-needed storm, bringing hope for drought relief and snow in Maryland’s higher elevations. Water managers and meteorologists agree that the rain is welcome, but it will take more than one storm to reverse the region's prolonged dry spell.
The Rocky Gorge Reservoir near Laurel offers a stark visual of the situation. The reservoir, partially drained for maintenance, exposes just how crucial the rain is to replenish the area. The DMV region recently endured a record-breaking 35-day streak without precipitation, ending Nov. 7, and drought conditions have prompted a watch by the Metropolitan Council of Governments.
Utility managers said it’s going to take a seasonal change --- not just one storm ---- to cause the Metropolitan Council of Government’s Drought watch to be lifted, simply because it has been so dry for so long.
“Our groundwater wells that are throughout the basin show that it's abnormally low right now, and so we need to have it recharged in time for the beginning of the season,” said Mike Nardolilli, Executive Director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.
Nardolilli warned that climate change could exacerbate drought variability.
“We have a lot of models that have predicted that the Potomac River Basin is going to be wetter and hotter over time, and that's a good thing for water supply,” he said.
Nardolilli cautioned that those same models show that variability will increase over time, leading to more droughts.
“The wet years will be wetter and the dry years will be drier, so that we will have more substantial droughts and more flooding,” he said. “Instead of having a nice, even flow of rainfall in the basin, we'll have these periods when it will go without rain for a long period of time, and then we'll get a deluge.”
Despite the anticipated rainfall, an outdoor burning ban remains in effect across Maryland, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The ban underscores concerns about the prolonged dry conditions and the need for sustained rainfall to alleviate them fully.
Meanwhile, Western Maryland faces a separate challenge: heavy snowfall. Charlie Gischlar of the Maryland State Highway Administration reported that Garrett County and surrounding areas could receive up to 10 inches of heavy, wet snow between Thursday and Saturday. He advised residents to monitor road conditions via the state’s traffic website and consider delaying travel in mountainous regions until the storm passes.
The incoming rain will help, but officials caution that it won’t be a “drought buster.” Reservoirs and groundwater rely on winter and early spring precipitation for long-term recovery. Water utility managers remain vigilant, noting that a failure to recharge water supplies during this critical period could complicate next year’s drought resilience.
Until seasonal patterns normalize, the drought watch will likely remain in effect for the D.C. region, with utilities keeping a close eye on weather developments.