May 13, 2013 - The past week was quite wet with 2 to over 6 inches of rain for most of the southern portion of the MARFC service area. The exception was the central and lower Delmarva Peninsula and southeast Virginia where 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches of rain fell. As a result, most of this area is above or much above normal rainfall for May except for the same areas just mentioned where rain has been about normal plus or minus an inch or so. Precipitation over the past 90 days has been near normal plus or minus an inch or two over much of the area with a few localized wetter areas in Virginia. Year to date precipitation is mostly around normal plus or minus an inch or two except for central and western Virginia. Here, precipitation has been 2 to 6 inches above normal.

Current (May 13) streamflow data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that streamflows are mostly above to much above normal. Groundwater levels are generally near normal.

The weather outlook through the next couple of weeks calls for around or somewhat above normal rainfall. Temperatures are expected to average out to about normal for the period, though both above and below normal days are likely. The Climate Prediction Center's 30 day outlook for May calls for near normal precipitation and temperatures. The 90 day outlook for May through July calls for near average precipitation and above normal temperatures.

The outlook for water resources has improved to good or very good in the south and good in the north. Significant recent rainfall has led to this improvement and has significantly reduced the long term dryness in Maryland, the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, and northern Virginia. Should rainfall dip to below normal, water resources may become increasingly stressed in the upcoming weeks and months. This does not, for now, appear to be the case.

In summary, the southern portion of the MARFC service area has sufficient (even abundant) water resources and water supplies. These water resources are likely to maintain current levels or begin their typical long term decrease in the upcoming weeks but remain sufficient with no water shortages expected in the next several weeks.

End.