Drought Information Statement for the Middle Ohio River Valley Valid October 4, 2024 Issued By: NWS Wilmington Ohio Contact Information: spotreport.iln@noaa.gov This product will be updated November 1, 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 have improved significantly across many locations due to rainfall from Helene, though some areas received little/no relief. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Lower Midwest Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Now only in small areas of the Hocking River basin. D3 (Extreme Drought): Also now more limited, covering portions of central Ohio. D2 (Severe Drought): Lingering in portions of central Ohio D1 (Moderate Drought): Central/portions of Southwest Ohio, as well as portions of the Miami/St. Mary’s drainage areas. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Limited to northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, far southern Ohio and some Miami Valley areas. Recent Change in Drought Intensity the latest 4-week change map for Ohio River Valley Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Areas of far southwest Ohio, portions of central Ohio. No Change: Scattered areas covering SE Indiana and portions of western Ohio. Drought Improved: Remnants of Hurricane Helene improved drought conditions across northern Kentucky, much of southern and central Ohio, and portions of western Ohio. Precipitation Accumulations and Percent of Normal Precipitation over the past 30 days has shown near to above normal rainfall has occurred in all but some areas of central Ohio and the St. Mary’s river basin region, where below normal precipitation persists Summary of Impacts See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts 7-day average streamflows have improved significantly over the region Several reservoir levels remain below normal summer pool levels, but are much closer to normal now. Improvement in some residential and agricultural wells in southern and southeast Ohio Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture had recovered significantly across some regions, but remains low in some of the Hocking Valley and portions of central Ohio Hay shortages do remain for many farmers, with still some cases of water hauling and selloff of livestock Ohio Crop Weather Report, Indiana Crop Weather Report, Kentucky Crop Weather Report Ohio Country Journal State Climate Office of Ohio Kentucky Division of Water Drought Page Fire Hazard Impacts Temporary reduction in fire danger, though a dry October may result in fire danger ramping up toward mid/end of the month Mitigation Actions Improving conditions in the most drought-stricken areas in both water supply and water quality Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow basin map valid October 3,, 2024 USGS 7-day streamflow is now in the near normal to slightly above normal range for early October. While some U.S. Army Corps lakes are 1 to 3 feet below pool levels, many have returned close to normal levels for early October. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildland Fire Potential is now near normal for October and November - conditions may change for November, however, as dry conditions are expected through October. Current Fire Conditions from Drought.gov Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A return to dry conditions is expected across the mid Ohio Valley over the next 7 days and beyond 8 to 14 Day Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Climate Prediction Center outlook calls for: Near to above normal temperatures for mid October Fairly high confidence in below normal precipitation Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Current drought conditions are expected to persist, with only some areas expected to receive slight improvement. With cooler autumn temperatures, evapotranspiration rates will be lower, resulting in a less dramatic increase of drought in areas which may remain dry over the coming month. Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook