Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid May 3, 2024 Issued By: WFO Paducah, Kentucky Contact Information: nws.paducah@noaa.gov This product will be updated 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 continues to help ease drought conditions across the region. Severe Drought has been removed in a small part of southeast Missouri. As chances for precipitation increase in the next week, so will evapo-transpiration needs as the spring green-up continues. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Severe drought remains only in a small part of southeast Missouri Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Has been removed from Carter and Ripley Counties in southeast Missouri along the Ozark Foothills D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers about 39% of the forecast area in parts of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and west Kentucky D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covers much of the rest of southwest Illinois and west Kentucky Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Improved: One category across parts of the region in southeast Missouri. Drought Worsened: None Precipitation Much of southeast Missouri and parts of west Kentucky received up to 2 inches of rain. For April, the observation station in Paducah was a little over 2.5” below normal for the month. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature Warmer than normal temperatures continue. Much of the area is seeing average temperatures 2 to 6 degrees warmer than normal. It was the 5th warmest April on record at Paducah, Kentucky and the 9th warmest April at Evansville, Indiana. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts Greenup is just about complete. Crops are being planted. 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. Areas that didn’t receive the heavier rainfall remains below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall has helped to improve streamflow conditions across the region. Areas that didn’t receive the heavier rainfall remains below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture, while improving, 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 Scattered pop-up storms are possible through Monday across the region. There may be very localized areas of heavy rain with a few of these storms. Storms will become better organized next week. Strong to severe storms will be possible with the potential for very heavy rainfall and flooding. Many areas may pick up 2 inches of rain next week with isolated higher amounts. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Heavy rain is possible next week increasing the chances for localized flooding. 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 more 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 May.