Drought Information Statement for the Middle Ohio River Valley 
Valid December 12, 2024
Issued By: NWS Wilmington Ohio
Contact Information: spotreport.iln@noaa.gov 
There are no plans to update this product until conditions in the area deteriorate to  either Extreme Drought (D3) or if the need arises, to Severe Drought (D2) 
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ILN/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Conditions have improved significantly across the region, with no future
Drought Information Statements expected in the foreseeable future 
1

U.S. Drought Monitor
the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Lower Midwest


Drought intensity and Extent

D1 (Moderate Drought): Now limited to just some areas of west central and central Ohio. 
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Limited mostly to upper reaches of the Whitewater, Miami and Scioto basins. 

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
the latest 4-week change map for Ohio River Valley
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
 
No Change: Scattered areas of upper Scioto, St. Mary’s and Whitewater basins.

Drought Improved: Continued widespread improvement since early November. 

Precipitation Accumulations and Percent of Normal
Precipitation over the past 30 days has shown just the upper Whitewater, St. Mary’s and Upper Great Miami basins receiving below normal precipitation. All other regions have received above normal precipitation since early November. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
While 7-day average streamflows do remain in the ‘below normal’ range, they have improved significantly over the region in the past 30-60 days. 

Agricultural Impacts
Supplemental hay feeding does continue in parts of southeast Ohio
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
None
Mitigation Actions
None Reported

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Above normal precipitation is expected for the next 7 days, the period from Dec 12-19.





Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
The U.S. Monthly Drought outlook, at the time of issuance on November 30, called for drought conditions to continue in areas of D1 across the Mid Ohio Valley.
This is UNLIKELY, given more updated information as of Dec 12, 2024, with above normal precipitation expected through Dec 29, 2024. 
Drought conditions are likely to continue to improve across the mid Ohio Valley through December.