National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Louisville, KY

Weather Forecast Office

NWS Louisville Drought Page

Weather.gov > Louisville, KY > NWS Louisville Drought Page

 

Portions of these pages may not be routinely updated when there is no drought in southern Indiana or central Kentucky

  
Local Drought Information Statement  
 

U.S. Drought Monitor:

The data cutoff for Drought Monitor maps is Tuesday at 8 a.m. Eastern.
Rain that falls after that time is not taken into account when crafting this
map. Also, rain forecast to fall in the future is not included in this map.

State Drought Statistics

Indiana Drought Statistics

Kentucky drought statistics

Indiana

Kentucky

 

Drought Class Change Maps

Risk of Rapid Drought Intensification (Experimental)

Palmer Drought Severity Index:

Palmer Drought Index

 

Standardized Precipitation Index:

  30-Day 60-Day 90-Day 120-Day
Kentucky 30-Day SPI 60-Day SPI 90-Day SPI 120-Day SPI
Indiana 30-Day SPI 60-Day SPI 90-Day SPI 120-Day SPI

 

Landscape Evaporative Response Index

 

U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook
U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

drought.gov


National, State and Local Actions:

Drought Condition Monitoring Observations and Reports

National Drought Impacts

Climatological Summary:

Precipitation:

Percentage of Normal Precipitation
7-day accumulated precipitation percent of average 30-day accumulated precipitation percentage of normal 90-day accumulated precipitation percentage of normal 120-day accumulated precipitation percentage from normal
7-day 30-day 90-day 120-day

 

Temperature:

Temperature Departure from Normal
7-day departure from normal temperature 30-day departure from normal temperatures Month to date temperature departure from normal
Last 7 days Last 30 days Month to date

 

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly collaborative effort between a number of federal agencies including NOAA/NWS, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Details and explanations of the Drought Monitor can found at the web site:

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

The categories of drought are defined as follows:

Abnormally Dry (D0) - Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures; fire risk above average. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits; pastures or crops not fully recovered.

Moderate Drought (D1) - Some damage to crops, pastures; fire risk high; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent, voluntary water use restrictions requested.

Severe Drought (D2) - Crop or pasture losses likely; fire risk very high; water shortages common; water restrictions imposed.

Extreme Drought (D3) - Major crop/pasture losses; extreme fire danger; widespread water shortages or restrictions.

Exceptional Drought (D4) - Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; exceptional fire risk; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells, creating water emergencies.

2-Page Drought Fact Sheet
 

State of the Science Drought Fact Sheet
 

Disaster & Drought Assistance:

Drought ACIS:

Drought ACIS allows you the ability to explore data related to drought from the Regional Climate Centers (RCCs).  You can look at length or periods without rain, temperature data, and more.  Click on the logo below to gain access to this tool.

Kentucky Drought Mitigation and Response Plan

Indiana's Water Shortage Plan

Kentucky Drought Viewer

Indiana Drought Conditions & Impacts

 
   
Plots of Temperatures and Precipitation:  
  Year-to-Date Water Year
Bowling Green Year to Date for Bowling Green Water Year for Bowling Green
Frankfort Year to date Frankfort Water year Frankfort
Lexington Year to date Lexington Water Year Lexington
Louisville Ali Year to date Louisville Ali Water Year Louisville Ali
Louisville Bowman Year to date Louisville Bowman Water year Louisville Bowman

 

  
   

River and Stream Flow Conditions:

 

Jump to:

 

Central Southern Indiana (NWS Louisville)
Jefferson County, Kentucky (NWS Louisville)
Central Kentucky (NWS Louisville)
Western Kentucky (NWS Paducah)
Northern Kentucky (NWS Wilmington)
Eastern Kentucky (NWS Jackson)
Northeastern Kentucky (NWS Charleston)

 

Tip: Use CTRL-F and enter a search term to find something quickly. For example, if you're interested in the Ohio River at Ashland, hit CTRL-F and in the box that pops up type Ashland. Note that there may be more than one match (like if you enter the search term Ohio), in which case you can hit the enter key to go through all the matches.

The river stage data come from USGS and USACE. Forecasts are from the National Weather Service.
 

Central Southern Indiana (NWS Louisville)
Blue River at Fredericksburg, Indiana Blue River at White Cloud Buck Creek near New Middletown Indian-Kentuck Creek near Canaan
Blue River at Fredericksburg Blue River at White Cloud Buck Creek near New Middletown Indian-Kentuck Creek near Canaan
 
Lick Creek at Paoli Lost River 1E Prospect Middle Fork Anderson River at Bristow Muscatatuck at Deputy
Lick Creek at Paoli Lost River 1E Prospect Middle Fork Anderson River at Bristow Muscatatuck River at Deputy
 
Ohio River at Clifty Creek Patoka River near Cuzco Patoka River near Jasper Patoka River at Patoka Lake
Ohio River at Clifty Creek Patoka River near Cuzco Patoka River near Jasper Patoka River at Patoka Lake
 
Silver Creek at Sellersburg West Fork Blue River at Salem Whiskey Run at Marengo, Indiana  
Silver Creek at Sellersburg West Fork Blue River at Salem Whiskey Run at Marengo  
 
Jefferson County, Kentucky (NWS Louisville)
Beargrass Creek at Mellwood Chenoweth Run near Fern Creek https://water.weather.gov/resources/hydrographs/jftk2_hg.png Floyds Fork near Mount Washington
Beargrass Creek at Mellwood Chenoweth Run near Fern Creek Chenoweth Run at Jeffersontown Floyds Fork near Mount Washington
 
Floyds Fork at Fisherville Floyds Fork near Pewee Valley Goose Creek near Glenview Goose Creek near Lyndon
Floyds Fork at Fisherville Floyds Fork near Pewee Valley Goose Creek near Glenview Goose Creek near Lyndon
 
Middle Fork Beargrass Creek near Clifton Middle Fork Beargrass Creek near Saint Matthews Mill Creek near Pleasure Ridge Park Mill Creek at Valley Station
Middle Fork Beargrass Creek near Clifton Middle Fork Beargrass Creek near Saint Matthews Mill Creek near Pleasure Ridge Park Mill Creek near Valley Station
 
Northern Ditch near Okolona Ohio River at Kosmosdale Ohio River at Louisville Water Tower Ohio River at McAlpine Lock and Dam
Northern Ditch near Okolona Ohio River at Kosmosdale Ohio River at Louisville Water Tower Ohio River at McAlpine Lower
 
Ohio River at McAlpine Upper Pennsylvania Run near Zoneton Pond Creek near Fairdale Pond Creek at Medora
Ohio River at McAlpine Upper Pennsylvania Run near Zoneton Pond Creek near Fairdale Pond Creek at Medora
 
South Fork Beargrass Creek near Audubon Park South Fork Beargrass Creek at Germantown    
South Fork Beargrass Creek near Audubon Park South Fork Beargrass Creek at Germantown    
 
Central Kentucky (NWS Louisville)
Bacon Creek at Priceville Barren River at Barren River Lake Barren River at Bowling Green Beech Fork at Bardstown
Bacon Creek at Priceville Barren River at Barren River Lake Barren River at Bowling Green Beech Fork at Bardstown
 
Beech Fork at Maud Brashears Creek at Taylorsville Cane Run Creek near Douglas Park Cane Run Creek at Highlands
Beech Fork at Maud Brashears Creek at Taylorsville Cane Run Creek near Douglas Park Cane Run Creek at Highlands
 
Caney Creek at Horse Branch Cumberland River at Burkesville Cumberland River at Lake Cumberland Dix River near Danville
Caney Creek at Horse Branch Cumberland River at Burkesville Cumberland River at Lake Cumberland Dix River near Danville
 
Dix River at Herrington Lake Drakes Creek at Alvaton Eagle Creek near Sadieville East Hickman Creek near East Hickman
Dix River at Herrington Lake Drakes Creek near Alvaton Eagle Creek near Sadieville East Hickman Creek near East Hickman
 
Elkhorn Creek at Fort Spring Elkhorn Creek at Peaks Mill Elkhorn Creek at Yarnallton Green River at Brownsville
Elkhorn Creek at Fort Spring Elkhorn Creek at Peaks Mill Elkhorn Creek at Yarnallton Green River at Brownsville
 
Green River at Green River Lake Green River at Greensburg Green River near Mammoth Cave Green River at Munfordville
Green River at Green River Lake Green River at Greensburg Green River near Mammoth Cave Green River at Munfordville
 
Green River near McKinney Green River at Rochester Green River at Woodbury Hinkston Creek near Carlisle
Green River near McKinney Green River at Rochester Green River at Woodbury Upper Hinkston Creek near Carlisle
 
Houston Creek at Paris Kentucky River at Camp Nelson Kentucky River at Ford Lock Kentucky River at Frankfort
Houston Creek at Paris Kentucky River at Camp Nelson Kentucky River at Ford Lock Kentucky River at Frankfort Lock
 
Kentucky River at High Bridge Kentucky River at Lockport Kentucky River at Salvisa Kentucky River at Tyrone
Kentucky River at High Bridge Lock Kentucky River at Lockport Kentucky River at Salvisa Kentucky River at Tyrone
 
Kentucky River at Valley View Licking River at Blue Licks Spring Nolin River at Hodgenville Nolin River at Nolin River Lake
Kentucky River at Valley View Licking River at Blue Licks Spring Nolin River at Hodgenville Nolin River at Nolin River Lake
 
Nolin River at White Mills North Elkhorn Creek at Eastland Park North Elkhorn Creek at Georgetown Ohio River at Cannelton
Nolin River at White Mills North Elkhorn Creek at Eastland Park North Elkhorn Creek at Georgetown Ohio River at Cannelton
 
Ohio River at McAlpine Lock and Dam Ohio River at McAlpine Upper Ohio River at Tell City Red River at Dot
Ohio River at McAlpine Lower Ohio River at McAlpine Upper Ohio River at Tell City Red River at Dot
 
Rolling Fork River at Boston Rolling Fork River near Lebanon Junction Rolling Fork River at New Haven Rough River at Dundee
Rolling Fork River near Boston Rolling Fork River near Lebanon Junction Rolling Fork River at New Haven Rough River near Dundee
 
Rough River at Rough River Lake Russell Creek near Columbia Salt River at Glensboro Salt River at Shepherdsville
Rough River at Rough River Lake Russell Creek near Columbia Salt River at Glensboro Salt River at Shepherdsville
 
Salt River at Taylorsville Lake South Elkhorn Creek at Midway South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana Stoner Creek at Paris
Salt River at Taylorsville Lake South Elkhorn Creek at Midway South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana Stoner Creek at Paris
 
West Fork Drakes Creek at Franklin West Hickman Creek at Veterans Park    
West Fork Drakes Creek at Franklin West Hickman Creek at Veterans Park    
 
Western Kentucky (NWS Paducah)
Bayou de Chien Above Clinton Clarks River Above Murray Kentucky River at Ford Lock Cumberland River at Barkley Lake Pool
Bayou de Chien Above Clinton Clarks River Above Murray Clarks River Above Almo Cumberland River at Barkley Lake Pool
 
Cumberland River at Barkley Lake Tailwater Green River at Calhoun Lock and Dam Green River Above Livermore Green River at Paradise
Cumberland River at Barkley Lake Tailwater Green River at Calhoun Lock and Dam Green River Above Livermore Green River at Paradise
 
Green River Above Rockport Green River Above Spottsville Humphrey Creek Above Lacenter Little River Above Cadiz
Green River Above Rockport Green River Above Spottsville Humphrey Creek Above Lacenter Little River Above Cadiz
 
Massac Creek Above Paducah Mississippi River Above Hickman Mississipp River Above Wickliffe North Fork Little River Above Hopkinsville - Water Plant
Massac Creek Above Paducah Mississippi River Above Hickman Mississippi River Above Wickliffe North Fork Little River Above Hopkinsville - Water Plant
 
Ohio River Above Henderson Ohio River at Owensboro Ohio River at Paducah Pond River Above Apex
Ohio River Above Henderson Ohio River at Owensboro Ohio River at Paducah Pond River Above Apex
 
South Fork Little River Above Hopkinsville South Fork Little River at Hopkinsville - 68/80 South Fork Little River at Hopkinsville - Bypass Tennessee River at Kentucky Lake Pool
South Fork Little River Above Hopkinsville South Fork Little River at Hopkinsville - 68/80 South Fork Little River at Hopkinsville - Bypass Tennessee River at Kentucky Lake Pool
 
Tradewater River Above Olney Tradewater River Above Providence    
Tradewater River Above Olney Tradewater River Above Providence    
 
Northern Kentucky (NWS Wilmington)
Eagle Creek near Glencoe Kentucky River at Gest Licking River at Catawba Licking River at Falmouth
Eagle Creek near Glencoe Kentucky River at Gest Licking River at Catawba Licking River at Falmouth
 
Licking River at McKinneysburg Licking River above Visalia North Fork Licking near Mt Olivet Ohio River at Markland Lower
Licking River at McKinneysburg Licking River above Visalia North Fork Licking near Mt Olivet Ohio River at Markland Lower
 
Ohio River at Maysville South Fork Licking River at Hayes Woolper Creek near Burlington  
Ohio River at Maysville South Fork Licking River at Hayes Woolper Creek near Burlington  
 
Eastern Kentucky (NWS Jackson)
Beaver Creek at Martin Beaver Creek near Monticello Buck Creek near Shopville Carr Creek at Carr Creek Lake
Beaver Creek at Martin Beaver Creek near Monticello Buck Creek near Shopville Carr Creek at Carr Creek Lake
 
Clear Fork at Saxton Cumberland River at Barbourville Cumberland River at Cumberland Cumberland River at Cumberland Falls
Clear Fork at Saxton Cumberland River at Barbourville Cumberland River at Cumberland Cumberland River at Cumberland Falls
 
Cumberland River at Loyall Cumberland River at Pineville Cumberland River at Williamsburg Cutshin Creek at Wooton
Cumberland River at Loyall Cumberland River at Pineville Cumberland River at Williamsburg Cutshin Creek at Wooton
 
Goose Creek at Manchester Grapevine Creek near Phyllis Johns Creek at Dewey Lake Johns Creek near Meta
Goose Creek at Manchester Grapevine Creek near Phyllis Johns Creek at Dewey Lake Johns Creek near Meta
 
Kentucky River at Heidelberg Kentucky River at Lock 11 near College Hill Kentucky River at Lock 13 near Willow Kentucky River near Ravenna
Kentucky River at Heidelberg Kentucky River at Lock 11 near College Hill Kentucky River at Lock 13 near Willow Kentucky River near Ravenna
 
Left Fork Peter Creek at Phelps Levisa Fork at Fishtrap Lake Levisa Fork at Paintsville Levisa Fork at Pikeville
Left Fork Peter Creek at Phelps Levisa Fork at Fishtrap Lake Levisa Fork at Paintsville Levisa Fork at Pikeville
 
Levisa Fork at Prestonburg Licking River at Cave Run Farmers Licking River at Cave Run Lake Licking River near Salyersville
Levisa Fork at Prestonburg Licking River at Cave Run Farmers Licking River at Cave Run Lake Licking River near Salyersville
 
Lynn Camp Creek at Corbin Middle Fork Kentucky River at Buckhorn Lake Middle Fork Kentucky River near Hyden Middle Fork Kentucky River near Tallega
Lynn Camp Creek at Corbin Middle Fork Kentucky River at Buckhorn Lake Middle Fork Kentucky River near Hyden Middle Fork Kentucky River near Tallega
 
North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson North Fork Kentucky River at Whitesburg North Fork Triplett Creek near Morehead
North Fork Kentucky River at Hazard North Fork Kentucky River at Jackson North Fork Kentucky River at Whitesburg North Fork Triplett Creek near Morehead
 
Paint Creek at Paintsville Lake Pond Creek at Pond Creek Red River at Clay City Red River near Hazel Green
Paint Creek at Paintsville Lake Pond Creek at Pond Creek Red River at Clay City Red River near Hazel Green
 
Rockcastle River at Billows   Russell Fork at Elkhorn City Shelby Creek at Myra
Rockcastle River at Billows   Russell Fork at Elkhorn City Shelby Creek at Myra
 
Slate Creek at Highway 713 near Mount Sterling South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville South Fork Kentucky River at Oneida Sturgeon Creek at Cressmont
Slate Creek at Highway 713 near Mount Sterling South Fork Kentucky River at Booneville South Fork Kentucky River at Oneida Sturgeon Creek at Cressmont
 
Northeastern Kentucky (NWS Charleston)
Big Sandy River at Fullers Station Blaine Creek near Blaine Little Sandy River at Grayson Ohio River at Ashland
Big Sandy River at Fullers Station Blaine Creek near Blaine Little Sandy River at Grayson Ohio River at Ashland
 
Ohio River at Lloyd Greenup Lock Tygarts Creek near Greenup    
Ohio River at Lloyd Greenup Lock Tygarts Creek near Greenup    
 

 

Select river stages are shown at left. For more detailed information see our National Water Prediction Service.

Additional current stream and river stages may be viewed at:

An interactive table of sites which are at or near record low flow can be found at:

Indiana Ground Water Watch

 

Agricultural Impacts:


 

Crop Progress and Condition Report:

National Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

QuickDRI

CoCoRaHS Condition Monitoring

 

Crop Moisture Index        
Crop Moisture Index        
         
Soil Moisture Anomaly        
Soil Moisture Anomaly        
         
Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI)        
Evaporative Demand Drought Index        

 

For additional information on agriculture impacts may be viewed from the:

 

Fire Danger Hazards:

National Fire Danger Class 
Fire Danger Class

National Significant Wildland Fire Potential OutlookWildland Fire Potential

Keetch-Bryam Drought Index:
Keetch-Bryam Drought Index

 

 

Description of Fire Danger Ratings

  • Low fire danger
  • Moderate fire danger
  • High fire danger
  • Very High Danger
  • Extreme fire danger

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is a drought index that is specifically related to fire potential. The KDBI is broken into four categories which indicate the susceptibility of ground fuels to fire danger. Below are the four categories and a brief description of each.

Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KDBI)
KBDI Value
Description of Fire Potential
0 to 200
 Low - Wet with little danger of fire initiation
201 to 400
 Moderate - Drying occurring with some fire danger
401 to 600
 High - Ground cover dry and will burn readily
601 to 800
 Extreme - Dead and live fuels will burn readily

 

Burn Bans:

Precipitation/Temperature Outlooks:

Seasonal Temperature Outlooks

Precipitation Outlooks

Temperatures

Precipitation
For updated temperature and precipitation probabilities consult the following Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Web Sites:

 

Model Data:

 

Questions or Comments:

If you have any questions or comments about this drought information 
please contact NWS Louisville at:

E-mail: nws.louisville@noaa.gov
Telephone: 502-969-8842 M-F except Federal Holidays

Other Contacts:

Local Agricultural Impacts:

State climate impacts:
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