– Share of state experiencing drought conditions (20-year average): 2,362 sq. mi. (24.1% of land area); 1,254,957 people (24.4% of population)

— Moderate drought: 1,062 sq. mi. (10.8% of land area); 596,775 people (11.6% of population)

— Severe drought: 403 sq. mi. (4.1% of land area); 209,981 people (4.1% of population)

— Extreme drought: 111 sq. mi. (1.1% of land area); 69,590 people (1.4% of population)

— Exceptional drought: 7 sq. mi. (0.1% of land area); 2,511 people

After extended and exceptional droughts early in this century, Maryland is no longer arid. Like neighboring Delaware, Maryland’s most recent extended drought came early in the century, lasting more than a year between 2001–2002. Also like Delaware, the most intense spell was in August 2002, when nearly 40% of the state was suffering from exceptional drought, the most extreme classification.