The area of Maryland where "abnormally dry" conditions are developing doubled over the past week, according to the U.S. drought monitor.
Forty-six percent of the state was considered drier than average as of Tuesday, compared with 22 percent of the state a week earlier. The area has spread from along the Interstate 95 corridor up into Western Maryland and the lower Eastern Shore.
The rainfall deficit for the year to date has grown to 4 inches at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, after being several inches above normal earlier this summer.