Drought Information Statement for the Middle Ohio River Valley Valid September 6, 2024 Issued By: NWS Wilmington Ohio Contact Information: spotreport.iln@noaa.gov This product will be updated October 6, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ILN/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Drought conditions now cover nearly all of the mid Ohio Valley. Exceptional drought now into areas of southern Ohio, with extreme drought also expanding. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor U.S. Drought Monitor for Lower Midwest Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of the middle Scioto Valley and southeast Ohio D3 (Extreme Drought): Through much of the lower/middle Scioto Valley and southeast Ohio D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of west central, central and southern Ohio D1 (Moderate Drought): Through much of western/central/southern Ohio and spotty locations near the Ohio River D0: (Abnormally Dry): Through much of eastern Indiana, north central Ohio, and along the Ohio River Recent Change in Drought Intensity 4-week change map for Ohio River Valley Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Much of Ohio, as well as portions of northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana No Change: Along the Ohio River on Ohio/Kentucky border Drought Improved: No areas of improvement For more information, see https://www.drought.gov/topics/temperature-precipitation Precipitation Accumulations and Percent of Normal While isolated areas have trended toward normal precipitation over the past 30 days, the vast majority of the area has received from 5% to 50% of normal rainfall. Temperature Both the 30 day and 7 day temperature anomalies depict above normal temperatures across at least portions of the mid Ohio Valley. The combination of well below normal rainfall and anomalously high temperatures are quickly ramping up drought conditions. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Below normal streamflow has been persistent, and in some cases worsening, across the mid Ohio Valley. Springs have stopped running and creeks are drying up State Climate office of Ohio Agricultural Impacts Drought of 2024 leads to disaster declaration for 22 Ohio Counties Ohio Country Journal Pasture and range conditions continue to suffer with only 46 percent rated as good or excellent. Operations are relying on hay to supplement feeding. Many pastures are seeing little to no regrowth. Kentucky Crop Weather Ohio Crop Weather Report, Indiana Crop Weather Report, Kentucky Crop Weather Report Ohio Country Journal State Climate Office of Ohio Fire Hazard Impacts Easily sparked hay, field fires Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Hauling water for hog and dairy operations. Some farmers are chopping corn for feed. OSU Extension Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid July 17, 2024 Well below normal streamflow is affecting portions of middle/lower Scioto, and the Hocking and Licking basins of Ohio Agricultural Impacts Per Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Country Journal Reports: Soil moisture remains well below normal Declining levels in irrigation ponds/well have led to hauling of water for livestock, with hay crops suffering/causing farmers to turn to alternative feed Crop yield loss reports through much of southern Ohio The USDA Farm Service Agency have declared 22 Ohio counties a Primary Natural Disaster Area Fire Hazard Impacts Due to ongoing drought and continued hot and dry conditions, above normal fire potential is forecast for September and October across the middle Ohio Valley National Interagency Coordination Center Significant Fire Potential Outlook Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Summarize conditions/impacts here Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The 1-Month drought outlook depicted here was from August 31, 2024. A new outlook will be issued at the end of September. At the time of this issuance, precipitation is expected to be below normal for the period of September 11-15. The 8-14 day outlook for the period September 13-19 is for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook