Cincinnati, Ohio – Light rain wrapping up Sunday morning will give way to a prolonged dry stretch across Ohio, raising concerns about worsening drought and falling river levels.
According to the National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center, less than half an inch of rain will fall before the system moves southeast. After that, high pressure will dominate, keeping skies mostly dry through next Saturday. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions spreading, especially in southern and eastern counties.
River gauges along the Ohio and Scioto Rivers are trending lower, with forecasters expecting continued drops in water levels through the week. The agency emphasized that no flooding is anticipated, but communities already dealing with dry soils and stressed crops may see worsening impacts.
Residents are urged to conserve water and avoid unnecessary outdoor burning as dry weather lingers. Farmers across central and southern Ohio may face increasing irrigation demands, while boaters and barge traffic could encounter lower navigation depths.
The week ahead remains locked in a dry pattern, with no significant rainfall expected until at least late next weekend.
