Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid October 3, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated no later than October 17, 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. Some slight improvements across the forecast area. Exceptional drought remains across portions of Muskingum, Guernsey, Noble, Harrison, Belmont and Monroe counties in OH. 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): Tuscarawas, Carroll, Jefferson, Muskingum, Harrison, Guernsey, Belmont, and Monroe OH; the northern WV panhandle, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Tucker counties in WV. D2 (Severe Drought): Coshocton, Jefferson, Carroll, Jefferson, Muskingum and Guernsey OH; Brooke, Ohio, Monongalia, Preston, and eastern Tucker 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. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are beginning to recover with the periods of rain over the last 2 weeks. 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 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 closer to normal across the region, at least in the short range (last 7 days). Groundwater wells are beginning to improve in PA and northern WV. October is the typical month for draw down to winter pools. However, several of the reservoirs are already near or falling below winter pool. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 10/06/2024 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 Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Latest 6-10 day outlook calls for warming temperatures and below average precipitation. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 8-14 day currently highlights above normal temperatures and below average 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 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