Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid September 19, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated September 26, 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 expands into more of the lowlands Extreme Drought expands elsewhere across the state Entire state now in at least Moderate Drought National Weather Service Charleston, WV 1 Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): Expansion into Cabell, Lincoln, Boone, Kanawha, Braxton, Webster Counties and Perry County in OH D3 (Extreme Drought): Expansion farther into southeast, Greenbrier Valley, northeast KY, and Cheat Basin D2 (Severe Drought): Slight expansion to KY border D1 (Moderate Drought): Expansion into southwest VA D0: (Abnormally Dry): No change National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT September 19, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Four-Week Change Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor 4 week change valid 8am EDT September 19, 2024 Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Much of the WV lowlands and southeast OH No Change: Slivers of areas throughout the area Drought Improved: None Latest 7 and 30-Day Rainfall and Percent of Normal Rainfall Observed Precipitation Image Caption: Left - Precipitation Amount for Mid Atlantic Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for Mid Atlantic Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service ending September 19, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Some rain noted in the mountains and Coal Fields with isolated amounts around 1 inch Barely a drop in the bucket elsewhere 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 7-day average streamflows continue well below much of southeast OH and WV lowlands Several reservoir lake levels are well below summer pools Water quality issues emerging in Lumberport (Harrison County) Some fish kills are now being reported Agricultural Impacts Low soil moisture has stunted crop growth in many parts of the state Crop yield losses continue to be reported in the state particularly in the western, central, and eastern panhandle of the state Lack of hay has resulted in supplemental feeding Significant early sales of livestock Hauling of water for livestock continues across many parts of the state, particularly across western and central WV Fire Hazard Impacts Increased brush fire activity with increased fire danger going forward without any rainfall Amplified on days with wind Mitigation Actions Emergency Water Conservation for Richwood (Nicholas County) Water hauling for town of Calhoun County (waste water treatment purposes) Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Left - USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC maps valid September 18, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid September 18, 2024 Main Takeaways Streamflow remains below to much below normal across much of southeast OH and WV Groundwater wells remain low across much of the WV lowlands Impacts Reservoir lakes below summer pool: Tygart Lake 43.7’ below record Stonewall Jackson lake 9.6’ below Burnsville Lake 3.7’ below Sutton Lake 11’ below Beech Fork Lake 3.1’ below Some residential and agricultural wells experiencing impacts Some fish kills are now being reported Water supply negatively affected for communities that depend on water from nearby creeks and rivers. Emergency Water Conservation in Nicholas County Water from Burnsville for waste water treatment in Calhoun County Lumberport (Harrison County) water quality issues emerging Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid September 17, 2024 Right: USDA Crop Progress Report valid September 14, 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 Unprecedented reports of livestock being sold due to lack of feed/water in WV Fire Hazard Impacts Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: Significant Wildland Fire Potential monthly outlook valid September, 2024 Right: Area fire danger class, valid September 20, 2024 Main Takeaways Significant wildfire outlook is above normal for September Impacts Brush fire activity has been increasing over the past couple of weeks 10 hour afternoon fuels (leaf litter) have been in critically low levels over the past 1 to 2 weeks. Expect fire danger to increase with each passing week without a meaningful rainfall Amplified during days with wind Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid September 19, 2024 Next 7 days: Cold front approaches early next week with increased chances for showers/storms May provide some meaningful rain especially for southeast OH and northern WV 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 18, 2024 Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures favored Above normal precipitation favored Impacts Worsening drought conditions possible across the lowlands 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 September 13, 2024 Main Takeaways Increased probability of above normal temperatures Increased probability of below normal precipitation 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 Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released September 19, 2024 Valid August 31, 2024 - November 30, 2024 Main Takeaways Updated outlook now favors drought persisting through the fall for most.