Wilmington, Ohio – August closed across Ohio with cooler nights, stormy afternoons, and a growing patch of drought, leaving farmers and residents eyeing September for a shift in conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, daytime highs often ran near or just below seasonal norms, but nights dipped noticeably cooler, especially in the final week of August. Rainfall was scattered and uneven across the state, with many areas finishing the month drier than normal. Storm clusters brought downpours to some counties, but the heaviest activity missed large swaths of central and western Ohio.
The U.S. Drought Monitor now shows portions of west-central Ohio slipping into moderate drought, with surrounding counties rated as abnormally dry. That trend is expected to persist into early September unless broader, soaking rains arrive. Farmers in Miami, Darke, and Shelby counties are reporting soil moisture shortages that could affect late-season crops.
Looking ahead, climate outlooks show September leaning warmer than average across Ohio, with precipitation likely trending near normal. That means while drought may not worsen significantly, relief will depend on whether late-month storm systems cut across the region.
Residents are urged to monitor local updates as September storms may still trigger flash flooding, even in areas that have been dry.
