Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid November 7, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated November 14, 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. Slight degradation in southern areas National Weather Service Charleston, WV 1 Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): No change D3 (Extreme Drought): No change D2 (Severe Drought): No change D1 (Moderate Drought): Slight expansion into the Tug Valley D0: (Abnormally Dry): Slight expansion in northeast KY and southwest VA National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT November 7, 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 November 7, 2024 Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Southwest VA and slivers of northeast KY, southern WV, southeast OH No Change: Areas of southeast northeast KY, OH and WV Drought Improved: None Latest 7 Rainfall and 30-Day Percent of Normal Rainfall Observed Precipitation Image Caption: Left - 7 Day Precipitation Amount for Mid Atlantic Right -30 Day Percent of Normal Precipitation for Mid Atlantic Data Courtesy NWS National Water Prediction Service ending November 7, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Dry over the past week 30 day rain deficits encompass the entire area Significant long term rainfall deficits continue across northern WV lowlands and southeast OH 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 well below normal in southeast OH and northern/western WV Water levels in residential and agricultural wells are low or dry Agricultural Impacts Near surface soil moisture is below normal across most areas Dry signal persists in deeper soil profiles Hay shortage remains with supplemental feeding needed for winter Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger may lower over the next 7 days Mitigation Actions Putnam PSD is reporting abnormally low reservoir levels Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Left - USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC maps valid November 6, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid November 7, 2024 Main Takeaways Much below normal Muskingum, Hocking, Upper Ohio, Tygart, Little Kanawha, and lower Kanawha basins Streamflow is typically lowest this time of year for perspective Groundwater wells remain low across most areas Impacts Most reservoir lakes releases for winter drawdown delayed until mid December due to the extraordinary low summer pools Putnam PSD is reporting abnormally low reservoir levels Not low enough for any kind of restrictions at this time Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: GRACE root zone soil moisture percentile valid November 2, 2024 Right: CASMA subsoil moisture percentile valid November 2, 2024 USDA Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Reports West Virginia Ohio Virginia Kentucky Main Takeaways Emerging drying topsoil across the Coal Fields Much of the area is dry in the subsoil Impacts Hay shortage remains with supplemental feeding needed for winter 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 November, 2024 Right: Area fire danger class, valid November 7, 2024 Main Takeaways Brush fires ongoing across the Coal Fields Significant wildfire outlook has been updated to above normal for November Impacts Areas downwind of brush fires can expect air quality issues Expect fire danger to remain elevated at times over the next two weeks due to leaf drop Amplified during warm days with wind and low relative humidity Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid November 7, 2024 Next 7 days: Cold front crosses today with decreasing showers Next frontal passage slated for next Sunday with a good chance rain statewide Highest rainfall amounts to 1” along the Ohio River and central areas Much less far southeast and eastern panhandle Strong cold front late next week with another round of showers Rainfall amounts around half an inch expected 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 November 6, 2024 Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures favored with above normal precipitation slightly favored 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 October 31 , 2024 Valid October 31, 2024 - January 31, 2024 Main Takeaways Favors drought remaining but improving through January across WV lowlands and southeast OH but ends elsewhere