Counties with the worst droughts in Maryland
Nearly half of the continental United States is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Storms during this past winter brought heavy (in some areas, record-setting) rainfall and flooding to California, offering the state an expected two-year reprieve from widespread droughts that covered nearly 100% of the state from 2020 to 2022. But in other parts of the country, especially dry conditions continue.
Six states currently have the most widespread drought, covering 100% of their areas. These are Maryland, South Dakota, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware.
In periods of drought, levels of major reservoirs and rivers can fall dramatically. Groundwater systems are also affected as shrinking water supplies impact agriculture and hydropower generation while increasing wildfire risk. Across New England, ongoing drought has shrunk reservoirs and water supplies in the region.
Periods of drought have intensified and become more frequent in recent years due to climate change. Scientists predict that even in low-emissions scenarios, much of the U.S. will be drier by the end of the century.
Stacker cited data from the U.S. Drought Monitor to identify the counties in Maryland with the worst droughts as of Nov. 19, 2024. Counties are listed in order of percent of the area in drought conditions. "Abnormally dry" is not considered to be a drought but is included as a separate data point. Additional data for the state overall is also included. Any counties not experiencing drought are not included in the list. Counties are listed in order of drought severity.
Maryland statistics
- Area in drought: 100.0% (#1 nationally)
--- Moderate drought: 24.8%
--- Severe drought: 66.9%
--- Extreme drought: 8.3%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Howard County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Carroll County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 100.0%
--- Severe drought: 0.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Frederick County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 76.6%
--- Severe drought: 23.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Montgomery County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 73.6%
--- Severe drought: 26.4%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Baltimore County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 58.7%
--- Severe drought: 41.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Baltimore City
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 46.0%
--- Severe drought: 54.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Washington County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 17.7%
--- Severe drought: 82.3%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Anne Arundel County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 15.5%
--- Severe drought: 84.5%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Prince George's County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 11.8%
--- Severe drought: 88.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Worcester County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Wicomico County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Talbot County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Somerset County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Saint Mary's County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Dorchester County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Charles County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Calvert County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 100.0%
--- Extreme drought: 0.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Harford County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 99.2%
--- Extreme drought: 0.8%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Allegany County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 60.6%
--- Severe drought: 35.4%
--- Extreme drought: 4.0%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Caroline County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 95.5%
--- Extreme drought: 4.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Queen Anne's County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 77.2%
--- Extreme drought: 22.9%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Kent County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 57.1%
--- Extreme drought: 42.9%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Cecil County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 45.6%
--- Extreme drought: 54.4%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
Garrett County
- Area in drought: 100.0%
--- Moderate drought: 0.0%
--- Severe drought: 42.5%
--- Extreme drought: 57.5%
--- Exceptional drought: 0.0%
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.