Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid September 5, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated September 19, 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. Exceptional drought has been expanded to portions of eastern Ohio. Extreme drought has been expanded across eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. General deterioration across much of the region. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of Muskingum, Noble, Guernsey, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Belmont, and Monroe counties in OH. D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of the rest of the aforementioned counties (above), the northern WV panhandle, Marion, Preston, and Tucker counties in WV. D2 (Severe Drought): eastern OH, northern WV, and portions of Washington, Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland in PA D1 (Moderate Drought): eastern Ohio and western PA from I-76 southward. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of the rest of the region except for portions of the counties along the I-80. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: across much of eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties in PA. No Change: much if southwestern PA and Venango and Forest PA. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation While some areas of western PA received rounds of rain from thunderstorms or the remnant of hurricane Debby, much of the rest of the region experienced below average precipitation over the last 30 days. Precipitation in eastern Ohio and the northern West Virginia panhandle is less than 25% of normal. Temperature Continued above average temperatures over much of the upper Ohio valley has only exacerbated conditions in the areas in severe to exceptional drought. Average temperature over the last week were 6-8 degrees above average. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows remain well below normal in both the last 14 and 30 day timeframes, especially in the Monongahela, Ohio and Muskingum River basins and sub-basins. Recreation on many lakes and reservoirs is ending early due to seasonally low pool levels. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains in the 1-5% over much of eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Some deterioration in crop conditions is being noted, especially in Ohio and West Virginia. Hay and pasture growth has been limited in Ohio. Some farmers are hauling water for livestock. USDA Fire Hazard Impacts Significant Wildfire Potential Outlook is above normal for portions of eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania. NIFC Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Some voluntary water restrictions have been put in place. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Both dry and warm conditions are expected over the next two weeks. This will continue to support deteriorating conditions, with minimal precipitation forecast at this time. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage With no long range signal for cool and wet weather at this point, drought conditions are projected to persist, both during the rest of September and for much of the fall season.