Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid September 19, 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. The remnants of Francine underperformed over the region leaving many areas to either hold steady or have their drought designation continue to deteriorate. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Severe drought has been expanded across west Kentucky east of the Land Between the Lakes Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): The two area of D2 were connected across west Kentucky this week putting just over 36% of our region in severe drought D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers about 55% of the forecast area in parts of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana and west Kentucky D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covers much of the rest of southeast Missouri Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Improved: A small sliver of Missouri and Kentucky benefited from rainfall last week. This area covers the Hickman/Fulton Counties area in west Kentucky across the Mississippi River into Mississippi and New Madrid Counties in Missouri Drought Worsened: Much of last week’s D1 drought was downgraded to D2 across west Kentucky; small areas of D1 drought in west Kentucky were upgraded to D2 and part of southern Illinois was upgraded from D0 to D1 Precipitation While many areas received rainfall from the remnants of Francine, very little saw amounts that helped improve drought conditions. Many locations have seen below normal rainfall since the beginning of August. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature We’ve had a real mix of temperatures with most locations within a degree of normal since mid-August. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Rivers are running low and the navigable rivers are being closely monitored or enacted restrictions; there are concerns with harvesting crops getting under way. Agricultural Impacts There are reports of hayfeeding in parts of southeast Missouri as well as a few reports of stock ponds running low. Corn and soybeans that were planted later in the season are showing the most stress. Fire Hazard Impacts There have been reports of small wildfires and burn bans are in effect for many counties in southwest Indiana and west Kentucky. 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 Rivers have steadily fallen across the region since the beginning of August; a few smaller rivers saw a small bump of water this past week. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rivers have steadily fallen across the region since the beginning of August; a few smaller rivers saw a small bump of water this past week. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture, has deteriorated for a large part of the Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys as well as the Wabash Valley. Fire Hazard Impacts There have been numerous reports of wildfires leading into this week with many counties enacting burn bans in southwest Indiana and west Kentucky. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A cold front will bring the next chance of rain to the region starting Sunday and lasting into early Tuesday. This will produce scattered to widely scattered showers and storms. Up to a 0.75 inches is possible but there may be a few areas that unfortunately won’t see any rain. The upper level system will be slow to move out leaving us with slightly cooler temperatures, clouds and very small chances of showers through mid-week. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Rapid Onset Drought is not expected to continue for now. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage More normal temperatures can be expected into October. Precipitation chances will be below normal for the month. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought may worsen once again the coming weeks.