Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid November 21, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated no later than December 5, 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. Drought watch remains in effect for several counties in western PA. Some modest improvement across portions of OH, WV, and PA 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, Washington, Greene, portions of Westmoreland and Fayette counties in PA. D2 (Severe Drought): Coshocton, Tuscarawas Jefferson, Carroll, Jefferson, Columbiana, and Muskingum OH; Hancock, Brooke, Preston, and eastern Tucker WV; and portions of Washington, Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Allegheny counties in PA. D1 (Moderate Drought): Coshocton in OH; Beaver, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Lawrence, Armstrong, and Indiana in PA. D0: (Abnormally Dry): The rest of the region. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Some degradation to D0 across portions of NW PA. No Change: much of eastern OH, the northern panhandle of WV, west-central PA. Drought Improved: Portions of eastern OH, northern WV, and SW PA. Precipitation In the last 7 days, the region has received 0.50 - 2.50 inches of precipitation (some of which was snow in the terrain) This has returned portions of SW PA to near normal precipitation through the last 30 days though there is still a lag over eastern Ohio, where precipitation is closer to 50% of normal. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are still running below normal across the upper Ohio Valley. Some private wells are low or completely dry. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is recovering but remains near 5% across eastern Ohio. 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 Fire Risk is low. Mitigation Actions Some voluntary and mandatory water restrictions have been put in place. A Drought Watch has been issued by the PA DEP for several counties. Drought Watch/Warning Map for PA from PA DEP 11/1/2024 https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-american-water-reduce-use-drought-watch/ Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows are running below normal across the upper Allegheny, lower Monongahela, upper Ohio and the Muskingum River basins despite recent rainfall. Groundwater wells remain below normal in PA and northern WV, though there has been some improvement. Reservoirs are beginning to see a response to the recent precipitation, with some improvement in those locations that are well below winter pool. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 11/24/2024 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal portions of Ohio, but is slowly improving. Supplemental feeding of livestock Reports of livestock being sold due to lack of feed/water Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Active weather pattern in place through the next week will keep chances of rain and snow in the forecast. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Latest 6-10 day outlook calls for temperatures well below normal and below average precipitation. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 8-14 day also highlights below normal temperatures and 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 below temperatures to continue and equal chances of above/below normal 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.