Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid September 5, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated September 12, 2024 Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/RLX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Exceptional Drought now affecting more of the Hocking and Muskingum River basins Extreme Drought expands across WV National Weather Service Charleston, WV 1 Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): Expanded across the Muskingum and Hocking River basins D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion across the Coal Fields and Greenbrier Valley D2 (Severe Drought): Expanded into southeastern part of the state D1 (Moderate Drought): No change D0: (Abnormally Dry): No change National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT September 5, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor One-Week Change Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4 week change valid 8am EDT September 5, 2024 Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): Introduced across parts of the lower Kanawha River and Hocking River basins D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion across the Coal Fields D2 (Severe Drought): Expanded into southeastern part of the state D1 (Moderate Drought): No change D0: (Abnormally Dry): No change Latest 30-Day Rainfall and Percent of Normal Rainfall Observed Precipitation Main Takeaways Significant rainfall deficits continue in southeast OH and WV lowlands Image Caption: Left - Precipitation Amount for Mid Atlantic Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for Mid Atlantic Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service Data over the past 30 days ending September 5, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Latest 7 and 30-Day Temperature Anomaly Observed Temperature National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Max temperatures 4 to 6 degrees above normal over the last week and 1 to 3 degrees above normal over the last month Image Captions: Left - 7-Day Departure from Normal Temperature for Appalachia Right - 30-Day Departure from Normal Temperature for Appalachia Data Courtesy NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information Data over the past 30 days ending September 1, 2024 Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter National Weather Service Charleston, WV Hydrologic Impacts Brief recovery of 7-day average streamflows Several reservoir lake levels are well below summer pools Agricultural Impacts Low soil moisture has stunted crop growth in southeast OH and much of WV Crop yield losses continue to be reported in southeast OH and much of WV Lack of hay has resulted in supplemental feeding Early sales of livestock Hauling of water for livestock continues across many parts of southeast OH and WV Fire Hazard Impacts If dryness persists, above normal brush fire activity is possible going forward Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Left - USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC maps valid September 5, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid September 5, 2024 Main Takeaways Streamflow remains below to much below normal across much of the lowlands, especially southeast OH Groundwater wells remain low across much of the WV lowlands Impacts Reservoir lakes below summer pool: Tygart Lake 37.2’ below Stonewall Jackson lake 8.3’ below Burnsville Lake 3’ below Sutton Lake 3.8’ below Beech Fork Lake 2.6’ below Some residential and agricultural wells experiencing impacts Water supply negatively affected for communities that depend on water from nearby creeks and rivers. Water quality may become adversely impacted as well Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid September 3, 2024 Right: USDA Crop Progress Report valid August 31, 2024 USDA Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Reports West Virginia Ohio Virginia Kentucky Main Takeaways Soil moisture remains well below normal across the much of the WV southeast OH Impacts Declining levels in irritation wells/ponds have led to hauling of water for livestock across parts of southeast OH and the lowlands of WV Crop yield loss reports across much of WV and southeast OH Hay shortage reported throughout WV and southeast OH supplemental feeding needed Reports of livestock being sold due to lack of feed/water Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Low ponds Potential for navigation issues in the weeks/months ahead on the big rivers (especially Mississippi) Impacts Recent dry weather has led to some lower Image Captions: Left: Significant Wildland Fire Potential monthly outlook valid July, 2024 Right: Area fire danger class, valid August 2, 2024 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid September 5, 2024 Next 7 days: Strong cold front crosses Friday night with a few showers/storms No widespread significant precipitation expected Amounts less than 0.25”, perhaps up to 0.50” in southeast OH High pressure and dry for next week Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Low ponds Potential for navigation issues in the weeks/months ahead on the big rivers (especially Mississippi) Impacts Recent dry weather has led to some lower 8-14 Day Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Climate Prediction Center 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlook valid September 5, 2024 Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures with below normal precipitation favored Impacts Worsening drought conditions possible across many locations Weeks 3-4 Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Climate Prediction Center weeks 3-4 temperature and precipitation outlook valid August 23, 2024 Main Takeaways Increased probability of above normal temperatures Impacts Worsening drought conditions possible across many locations Seasonal (3-Month) Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Overall improvement in drought conditions is possible through the remainder of the summer months with chances for above normal precipitation in the short and long range outlooks However, even near normal rainfall combined with above normal temperatures would result in drought persistence Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released August 15, 2024 Valid July 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024