Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid December 9, 2024 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated if D3 (Extreme) drought conditions return. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/pbz/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Extreme Drought (D3) conditions have ended at this time. This will be the last Drought Statement unless D3 conditions return or Drought Warning is issued from PA DEP for counties in SW PA. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Tuscarawas, Jefferson, Carroll, Harrison, Guernsey, Belmont, Noble, Monroe, and Muskingum OH D1 (Moderate Drought): From I-76 southward D0: (Abnormally Dry): The rest of the region. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: None No Change: Allegheny county and points northward in Western PA, and Coshocton county OH. Drought Improved: Much of the region south of I-76 and portions of Lawrence, Butler, and Mercer counties in PA. Precipitation Between 2-4 inches of precipitation has fallen, with some higher amounts of near 6 inches across the terrain in PA/WV over the last 30 days. For much of the upper Ohio Valley, this is near 100% of normal precipitation with some areas exceeding 150% of normal. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are still running below normal across the upper Ohio Valley. Some private wells remain low and are slow to fill. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is recovering but remains near 5% across southeastern Ohio. Farmers are still 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 is still in effect by the PA DEP for several counties in SW PA. 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 remain below average across much of the upper Ohio Valley, though there is some slight improvement in longer ranges (14 day on right). Groundwater wells remain below normal in PA and northern WV, though there has been some improvement. Reservoirs are beginning to see a response with recent precipitation, with some improvement in those locations that are well below winter pool. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow (left) and USGS 14 day average streamflow (right) HUC map valid 12/08/2024 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 Rounds of precipitation will continue through the week with passing systems. This should continue to ease drought conditions though some long range drought indicators will be slower to show improvement. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Latest 6-10 day outlook calls for temperatures above normal and precipitation slightly above normal. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 8-14 day also highlights above normal 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 equal chances of above/below normal temperatures and precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The newest seasonal drought outlook continues the drought improvement through the next 3 months. However, it will take more than normal rainfall for much of Ohio and West Virginia to recover.