Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid August 22, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated September 5, 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/pbz/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Extreme drought has been expanded to portions of eastern Ohio. Some expansion of severe drought across eastern Ohio, the northern West Virginia panhandle and western Pennsylvania Some slight improvement over Columbiana OH and northwestern PA U.S. Drought Monitor Key Messaging Extreme Drought Conditions were added to eastern Ohio but removed from Tucker county WV. Drought Intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Added to several counties in eastern Ohio D2 (Severe Drought): added to much of northern WV and Washington and Greene counties in PA D1 (Moderate Drought): No change D0 (Abnormally Dry): Improvement in Columbiana county, PA. No change elsewhere. Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor map valid Aug 20, 2024 Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Conditions continue to worsen due to general lack of precipitation over the last several weeks, especially in Ohio and West Virginia. Drought Improvement: portions of northwestern PA song interstate 80, Columbiana and Coshocton OH, and Tucker county WV. No Change: southwestern PA Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid August 20, 2024 Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2024 3:02 PM National Weather Service Observed Precipitation Data over the past 30 days Despite some relief front recent rainfall, much of the upper Ohio Valley is still seeing a precipitation deficit. Rainfall has averaged around 3-6 inches over the last 90 days. These amounts are 50-75% of normal for the past 90 day period with some isolated areas near 25% of normal. Image Caption: Left - Precipitation Amount Map for the Mid-Atlantic Region Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation Map for the Mid-Atlantic Region Data is Courtesy of the National Centers for Environmental Information Data over the past 90 days ending August 21, 2024 Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2024 3:02 PM National Weather Service Observed Temperature While temperatures have been near or slightly cooler than normal across eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania over the past 7 days, the 30 day average is still running slightly above normal. The combination of warm temperatures and lack of rainfall in the same area continues to contribute to deterioration in drought conditions. Image Caption: Left - 7 Day Temperature Anomaly Map for the Mid-Atlantic Region Right - 30 Day Temperature Anomaly Map for the Mid-Atlantic Region Data is Courtesy of the National Centers for Environmental Information Data over the past 30 days ending August 17, 2024 Pittsburgh, PA August 22, 2024 3:02 PM National Weather Service Summary of Impacts See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows remain well below normal in both the last 14 and 30 day timeframes. Some recreational activities are being impacted. Several reservoirs are well below summer pool or nearing winter pool ahead of schedule. Some voluntary water restrictions have been put in place. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is at or below the 10th percentile across the upper Ohio Valley. See the NWS Climate Prediction Center Some deterioration in crop conditions is being noted, especially in Ohio and West Virginia. Some farmers are hauling water for livestock. USDA Fire Hazard Impacts The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is around 400-500 in eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. If drought persists, there is an increased risk for brush fires. WAFS/NIFC Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Main Takeaways Streamflows remain much below normal across much of the upper, Monongahela, upper Ohio, and Muskingum river basins. Reservoir levels in these areas are closer to levels of early November (near winter pool). Impacts Recreation on some lakes being impacted by closing of boat launches and marinas. Algae blooms observed in several reservoirs due to warm lakes and low levels. Some voluntary water restrictions were put in place across western PA due to lack of precipitation. Image Caption: USGS 14 day average streamflow versus Historical Average Streamflows map valid Aug 21, 2024 Agriculture Impacts Soil Moisture remains well below normal across much of the upper Ohio Valley. Farmers are reporting stunted growth in crops. Trees and plants are showing signs of stress. Farmers concerned about wells and needing supplemental feed for livestock. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Very little precipitation is forecast over the next 7 days with high pressure in place. Temperatures are also projected to return to and rise above seasonal normal through the next week. Image Caption: NWS WPC 7 Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast map valid August 21, 2024 Long-Range Outlooks Temperatures are projected to remain above normal for the start of meteorological fall. Precipitation is a bit more uncertain, with equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought Outlook Information on the latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook With long range precipitation forecasts uncertain, drought conditions are projected to persist through the next 3 months.