Drought Information Statement for southeast Ohio, northeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and much of West Virginia Valid December 6, 2024 Issued By: NWS Charleston, WV Contact Information: rlx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated if D3 (Extreme) drought conditions return Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/RLX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Further improvement across the area Extreme drought no longer exists across the area This will be the last issuance unless D3 drought (Extreme) conditions return National Weather Service Charleston, WV 1 Current Drought Conditions Latest Drought Monitor Main Takeaways D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Improvement across southeast OH and northern WV D1 (Moderate Drought): Improvement across the southern WV D0: (Abnormally Dry): None National Weather Service Charleston, WV Image Caption: Right: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EDT December 5, 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 December 5, 2024 Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: None No Change: Southwest VA and Pocahontas County 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 December 5, 2024 National Weather Service Charleston, WV Main Takeaways Another week of beneficial rains in the northeast KY, southeast OH, much of WV Drought has now been eradicated in the 30 day period Still lingers in the 90 day period 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 have improved but remain low, relative to historical averages for early December Water levels in residential and agricultural continue to slowly recharge across the area, especially across the Coal Fields and the mountains Groundwater monitoring wells have generally stabilized with some recovery noted in the mountains Agricultural Impacts Near surface soil moisture has recovered some across much of the area Dry signal persists in deeper soil profiles Supplemental hay feeding needed for winter in parts of southeast OH and WV due to lack of yield during the growing season 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 December 4, 2024 Right - USGS groundwater wells valid December 4, 2024 Main Takeaways Improving conditions across many basins over the last 7 to 14 days Still low compared to average for December across the northern lowlands Groundwater wells have generally stabilized but remain low compared to early December averages 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: Root Zone soil moisture percentile valid November 30, 2024 Right: CASMA subsoil moisture percentile valid November 30, 2024 USDA Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Reports West Virginia Ohio Virginia Kentucky Main Takeaways Topsoil recovery slowly occurring 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 Main Takeaways Generally low fire danger, aside from brief upticks during post frontal windy and dry days 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 December 5, 2024 Next 7 days: Weak high pressure builds in for the weekend with moderating temperatures and slackening wind Much warmer early next week with increasingly moist southwesterly flow ahead Rounds of showers Monday through Wednesday Could end as snow in the mountains or even parts of the lowlands Colder air for late next week, moderating next weekend 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 December 5, 2024 Main Takeaways Above normal temperatures favored with below normal precipitation 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 November 30 , 2024 Valid November 30, 2024 - February 28, 2024 Main Takeaways Favors drought improving and/or ending across many areas