Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid April 19, 2024 Issued By: WFO Paducah, Kentucky Contact Information: nws.paducah@noaa.gov This product will be updated around April 25, 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/pah/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Rainfall helped to ease drought conditions across the region. Severe Drought remains only in a small part of southeast Missouri. As chances for precipitation increase in the next few weeks, so will evapo-transpiration needs as the spring green-up continues. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor for southeast MO, southern IL, southwest IN, and west KY Severe drought remains only in a small part of southeast Missouri Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Covers only a small corner of Carter County in southeast Missouri along the Ozark Foothills D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers about 44% of the forecast area in parts of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and west Kentucky D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covers most of the rest of the forecast area including parts of southwest Indiana Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Improved: One category across parts of the region Drought Worsened: None Precipitation Two swaths of heavier rain fell across the area over the last week. The southeastern third of the region picked up as much as 2 to 3 inches of rain in some locations. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature Warmer than normal temperatures have continued into spring. Much of the area is seeing average temperatures 2 to 6 degrees warmer than normal. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts Greenup is well underway. Crops are being planted. Due to the early nature of the growing season, some homeowners are having to water ornamental plants when there is a stretch of dry weather. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall has helped to improve streamflow conditions across the region. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall has helped to improve streamflow conditions across the region. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal for a large part of the Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys. Fire Hazard Impacts No Wildfire Hazards at this time. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The weekend is expected to be cool and dry with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. Some northern parts of the area could see scattered frost Sunday and/or Monday morning. A couple of storm systems will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms to the region on Tuesday and again on Thursday. Up to an inch is expected however there could be some isolated high amounts with stronger storms. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook After a warm and dry weekend, a couple of storm systems are expected next week that could produce locally heavy rainfall mainly to our west but it is early in the forecast and this may change as we get closer to the event. At this time, we are primarily looking at the event Thursday and Thursday night timeframes. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The warmer than normal pattern will continue through May. An active storm pattern will keep periodic chances for showers and storms through much of the rest of the month but will shift south as we head into May. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage If an active weather pattern continues, some improvement in the most severe drought areas is possible through the end of April.