Drought Information Statement for 
Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania
Valid September 13, 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.

U.S. Drought Monitor


Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of Muskingum, Noble, Guernsey, Harrison, Belmont, and Monroe counties in OH. 
D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of the rest of the aforementioned counties (above), Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Jefferson OH, 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, Preston and Tucker counties in 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 at the end of last week,, much of the rest of the region experienced below average precipitation over the last 30 days.

Precipitation in eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia is less than 25% of normal. 


Temperature
Temperatures were closer to normal over the last week.

However, the average temperature over the last 30 days remains warmer than average in the areas hit hardest by drought.


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. 
Private wells are low or completely dry in OH and WV.

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
Burn Ban in effect in D3 and D4 areas in OH. 

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time

Mitigation Actions
Some voluntary water restrictions have been put in place. 

Agricultural Impacts
Pasture and crop conditions are poor or very poor across portions of OH and WV. 
Supplemental feeding of bees and pollinators. 

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. 
Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook