Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid September 26, 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 Hurricane Helene will come barreling north into the Ohio Valley tonight and Friday. Very heavy rainfall is possible through the first part of the weekend. By Sunday, rain should be waning and moving back off to the east. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Small improvement were made across the region Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): The two areas of D2 saw small areas of improvement both in southeast Missouri and the Henderson area of west Kentucky. D2 covers approximately 30% of the service area. D1 (Moderate Drought): Large parts of southern Illinois saw improvement bringing the coverage area down to around 38% D0: (Abnormally Dry): Still covers much of southern Illinois and the rest of southeast Missouri Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Improved: rainfall helped to improve drought conditions across parts of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois and a small area of west Kentucky Drought Worsened: none Precipitation A nearly stationary boundary produced showers and thunderstorms that helped most areas except much of west Kentucky. Many locations have seen below normal rainfall especially across west Kentucky. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature Temperatures were much warmer this past week with daily averages 2 to 6 degrees above normal. 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.. 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 in the last week although burn bans have been lifted across southwest Indiana and many counties in 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 recuperated slightly where rain fell this past week. Many rivers are still running below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rivers recuperated slightly where rain fell this past week. Many rivers are still running below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has improved in much of the middle Mississippi Valley but remain below normal in the lower Wabash and Ohio Valleys. Fire Hazard Impacts While there have been reports of small wildfires this past week, many burn bans have been lifted across southwest Indiana and west Kentucky. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The remnants of Hurricane Helene will come barreling up the Appalachians and turn west into the Ohio Valley. 2-3 inches of rain can be expected along the foothills of the Ozarks northeast to I-64 then east into southwest Indiana. 3-5” of rain can be expected through the weekend across the rest of the area and isolated higher amounts are not out of the question. The remnant area of low pressure will pull out east late Sunday into Monday bringing an end to the rain. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation 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. The latest 8 to 14 day outlooks call for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation as do the Weeks 3 and 4 outlooks. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage High pressure is expected to take control through the first part of October and drought may worsen once again the coming weeks.