The dry conditions that have been creeping northward across Maryland this winter have finally engulfed the Baltimore region, and now encompass the entire state west of Allegany County.

The weekly Drought Monitor map, released Thursday morning, shows that conditions in almost 90 percent of the state are now classified as "abnormally dry." This is the most extensive area to be so classified since the fall of 2007, as the state's last major drought began to wane. No part of the state is yet considered to be experiencing drought conditions.

As recently as Feb. 3, the Drought Monitor map showed normal moisture across 100 percent of Maryland's territory. Today, Baltimore's reservoirs are reported to be in good shape, but Maryland streamflow is at or near record low levels for this time of year. Only about an inch of melted precipitation has fallen at BWI since Feb. 1. The airport has not seen a rainfall surplus since September.

The Drought Monitor map combines a variety of measurements to classify regions affected by dry weather and drought. They include measurements of soil moisture, temperature, streamflow, precipitation and the health of vegetation as measured by satellite imagery.

By "abnormally dry," the drought map refers to short-term dryness that may slow planting and growth of crops or pasturelands. Fire risk is above average.

The dry conditions in Maryland prevail at the northeastern end of a large arc of the country - from the West Coast through Texas to Florida and the mid-Atlantic states - now experiencing dry conditions or drought of varied intensity.

The 7-day forecast for Baltimore shows only showers today, amounting to less than a tenth of an inch, followed by dry weather at least through the middle of next week.