Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid November 21, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated December 2, 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 more drought improvement across central and southern 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): Improvement across metro I64 corridor D1 (Moderate Drought): Improvement across the Coal Fields 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 21, 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 No Change: Areas of southeast northeast KY, OH and WV Drought Improved: Large areas of southeast OH and 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 21, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Another week of beneficial rains in the northeast KY, southeast OH, southern half of WV 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 further 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 in parts of southeast OH and WV Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger low 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 20, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid November 21, 2024 Main Takeaways Improving conditions across many basins over the last 7 to 14 days 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 Lower flow in the Little Kanawha than otherwise would be expected Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Captions: Left: 0-100 cm soil moisture percentile valid November 21, 2024 Right: CASMA subsoil moisture percentile valid November 15, 2024 USDA Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Reports West Virginia Ohio Virginia Kentucky Main Takeaways Topsoil recovery noted from recent rains especially southeast OH, northeast KY, and southern WV 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 December, 2024 Right: Area fire danger class, valid November 22, 2024 Main Takeaways Low fire danger threat for the foreseeable Significant wildfire outlook is normal for December Impacts No current impacts Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid November 21, 2024 Next 7 days: Lingering low pressure brings heavy snow across the mountains and snow/rain in the lowlands through late Friday Weak high pressure builds in by Sunday and lingers Monday Next cold front sweeps through Tuesday with another bout of rain Potential for a much wetter system around Thanksgiving 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 20, 2024 Main Takeaways Below normal temperatures favored with above normal precipitation favored Active pattern with systems crossing about every 3 days 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 November 21 , 2024 Valid November 21, 2024 - January 21, 2024 Main Takeaways Favors drought remaining but improving across WV lowlands and southeast OH but ends elsewhere