Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid November 14, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated November 21, 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. Much needed rain brings drought improvement across southeast OH and central WV National Weather Service Charleston, WV 1 Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): Improvement across parts of central WV D3 (Extreme Drought): Improvement across parts of southeast OH and western WV D2 (Severe Drought): No change D1 (Moderate Drought): Slight expansion into the far southern WV and southwest VA D0: (Abnormally Dry): Slight improvement across parts of northeast KY National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT November 14, 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 14, 2024 Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Southwest VA and McDowell County WV No Change: Areas of southeast northeast KY, OH and WV Drought Improved: Areas of southeast OH and western WV 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 14, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Meaningful rainfall across much of the area Significant long term rainfall deficits continue across the mountains 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 showing improvement across the area Water levels in residential and agricultural recharging across northeast KY and southern WV Agricultural Impacts Near surface soil moisture has recovered across much of the area Dry signal persists in deeper soil profiles Hay shortage remains with supplemental feeding needed for winter Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger low over the next 7 days Mitigation Actions None reported Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Left - USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC maps valid November 14, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid November 14, 2024 Main Takeaways Improving conditions across many basins over the past few days 7 day average for improvement lagging from recent rains 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 Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: 0-100 cm soil moisture percentile valid November 15, 2024 Right: CASMA subsoil moisture percentile valid November 10, 2024 USDA Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Reports West Virginia Ohio Virginia Kentucky Main Takeaways Topsoil recovery noted from recent rains Much of the area is remains dry in deeper soil profiles 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 15, 2024 Main Takeaways Low fire danger threat over the next several days Significant wildfire outlook has been remains above normal for November Impacts Brush fires over the area have large been doused due to recent rains Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid November 14, 2024 Next 7 days: High pressure builds in Friday through Monday night Warm front crosses Tuesday with a chance for light showers Next cold frontal passage slated for mid week next week with rain showers, changing to snow across the mountains late 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 November 14, 2024 Main Takeaways Below normal temperatures favored with below 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