Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid September 27, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated October 3, 2024 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 Harrison county in eastern Ohio. Extreme drought has been expanded in Muskingum, Coshocton, Tuscarawas counties in OH and Marion, Monongalia, and Wetzel counties in WV. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of Muskingum, Noble, Guernsey, Jefferson, Harrison, Belmont, and Monroe counties in OH. D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of the rest of the aforementioned counties (above), Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Jefferson OH, the northern WV panhandle, Marion, Monongalia, 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 Columbiana counties in OH. Portions of Wetzel, Marion, , Monongalia and Tucker counties in WV. Small sections of Lawrence, Mercer, Armstrong, Jefferson, Indiana, 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 some beneficial rain across portions of the region, save for where the worst of the drought is in the D4 region in eastern OH. Rainfall ranged from 0.50 to 2.00 inches across western PA and northern WV. Unfortunately portions of eastern Ohio received little to no precipitation, maintaining below normal precipitation percentages. Summary of Impacts 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. Some recovery was noted this week as a result of rainfall. Private wells are low or completely dry in OH and WV. Reservoirs across the region are below normal and in some cases below winter pools. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture ranges from 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. There have been sales of livestock as a result of lack of feed and water. 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 below normal across the Youghiogheny, lower Monongahela, Ohio and Muskingum basins. Groundwater wells 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) A few fish kills have been reported. Several reservoirs are below summer pool levels and at levels more appropriate of November/December. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 09/26/2024 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 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Upper low and the remnants of Helene will maintain precipitation chances through the beginning of next week. However, the bulk of the heaviest precipitation will remain outside of the areas that need it the most. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Latest 6-10 day outlook calls for near normal temperatures and precipitation. This is attributed to some uncertainty in the upper level pattern/speed of the trough and ridge replacement. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 8-14 day currently highlights below average temperatures and near normal precipitation. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The weeks 3-4 outlook suggests the potential for near normal or slightly above normal temperatures and equal chances for above/below average precipitation. 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