Cincinnati, OH – Drought conditions across the Ohio Valley have rapidly worsened over the past month, and the National Weather Service says the dry spell isn’t letting up anytime soon.
According to the Ohio River Forecast Center, nearly all of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and neighboring states are now experiencing some level of drought after four weeks of little to no rainfall. On August 12, only scattered areas were marked as “abnormally dry.” By September 9, large portions of the region had shifted into moderate or severe drought.
Forecasters say the trend will likely continue. “Almost no precipitation is expected over the next week in the Ohio Valley,” the agency reported Thursday. With conditions already below normal, agriculture, water supply, and wildfire risk are areas of growing concern.
The map released by NOAA shows parts of Ohio and West Virginia shaded in orange, representing severe drought, while yellow areas indicate moderate dryness spreading across much of the basin. Residents and farmers may face increasing challenges if the dry pattern holds through late September.
Meteorologists emphasize the importance of conservation and monitoring as fall approaches, when rainfall typically plays a critical role in replenishing soil moisture before winter.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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