Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid September 19, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated October 3, 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 add more of Guernsey county in eastern Ohio. Extreme drought has been added to Tucker county, WV. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania 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 plus portions of Lawrence and Mercer counties in PA. 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 Link to the latest 2-week change map for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: across Coshocton, Muskingum, Guernsey, Harrison, and Belmont counties in OH. Portions of Preston and Tucker counties in WV. Small sections of Lawrence, Mercer, Armstrong, and Clarion counties in PA. No Change: much if southwestern PA, Venango and Forest PA, and the northern panhandle of WV. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation There has been very little precipitation over the last 7 days, with only pockets of precipitation under 0.25 inch in the last 24 hours In the past 30 days, some areas in east central Ohio received less than 0.10 inch. For much of the region, precipitation is between 25%-50% of normal, while eastern Ohio 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 slightly warmer than average in the areas hit hardest by drought. Summary of Impacts Links: 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, especially in the Cheat, 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. Hay and pasture are poor or very poor across OH and WV. USDA Farmers are hauling water for livestock and supplemental feeding. 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 Extreme and Exceptional drought areas in OH. Mitigation Actions Some voluntary water restrictions have been put in place. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows are running well below normal across the Cheat, Youghiogheny, Monongahela, Ohio and Muskingum basins. Groundwater well are below normal in portions of WV and PA. There have been several pictures of completely dry creeks across all three states (OH, WV, PA) Several reservoirs are below summer pool levels and at levels more appropriate of November/December. Image Caption: USGS 28 day average streamflow HUC map valid 09/18/2024 Agricultural Impacts Pasture and crop conditions are poor or very poor across portions of OH and WV. 98% of WV pastures are rated very poor to poor. There are reports of crop yield loss in WV, OH, and PA Supplemental feeding of bees and pollinators. Supplemental feeding of livestock Reports of livestock being sold due to lack of feed/water Fire Hazard Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Latest TX Burn Ban map available here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast There are a few chances for precipitation over the next week. The first is with a warm front lifting across the region on Saturday. Though the probability of greater than 0.25 inches is 20-30%, with better chances generally north of the driest areas. The second will be with the passage of a cold front, with much of the region likely to see some measurable precipitation (>60% chance) into midweek. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Increasing southwesterly flow will return moisture to the region. At this time, the 6-10 day outlook is projecting warmer than average temperatures and precipitation slightly above normal (33-50%). Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 8-14 is projecting near or slightly above average precipitation and above normal temperatures. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The October monthly outlook highlights equal chances of wet/dry and warm conditions continuing across much of the upper Ohio valley. This will continue to support deteriorating drought conditions. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The newest seasonal drought outlook suggests that there could be some slight improvement to drought conditions in the next three months. However, it will take more than normal rainfall for much of Ohio and West Virginia to recover if temperatures remain above average. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook