CFAES experts know the challenges Ohio growers and producers face due to a variety of reasons. A Rapid Response Team was created to quickly address current events and offer the best science-based recommendations to protect livestock, crops, and farm operations due to weather impacts, tariffs, commodity prices, and extreme events.
Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor only includes precipitation for the week through 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Update December 6, 2024: After the seventh driest October on record, the weather pattern has become more active over the last several weeks. Precipitation along and southeast of about I-71 has been above normal over the last 30 days. The cooler pattern in place has allowed some of this moisture to infiltrate into the soils. This has decreased drought stress, but deeper soil moisture and river levels remain low. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor (below) shows a removal of all D3 and D4 areas for the first time since August, with widespread moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought still present in the state.
For information on FSA programs for drought relief, including additional counties now eligible for relief in northwest Ohio, see the Farm Office Blog. Thank you to all who helped keep track of this year’s drought through Condition Monitoring Observer Reports and other means. For more information, including impacts for non-agricultural related interests, please visit the State Climate Office’s Drought page.
Observed Weather Summary
- Despite the recent chilly weather, temperatures over the last 30 days are averaging 1-3°F above normal (November 6 – December 5, 2024).
- Liquid-equivalent precipitation (rain and snow combined) over the last 30 days has ranged from 0.5-1inches in the northwestern and parts of southeastern Ohio, to 3-6 inches along the I-71 corridor.
- Lake effect downstream of Lake Erie has topped 5 feet in some locations.
- Precipitation over the last 90 days is running 25-75% of normal for northwest and southeast Ohio, with above average totals in southwest Ohio near the Ohio River.
- Precipitation deficits of 3-9 inches are common across Ohio over the last 6 months, with counties in southeastern Ohio showing deficits of 12 plus inches.
On-going Impacts
- Soil moisture profiles and stream flows remain low but are slowly improving.
- Fire risk is diminishing.
Drought Monitor
- Additional widespread improvements are evident on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
- All D3 and D4 areas have been removed.
- D2-Severe Drought conditions cover about 7% of the state.
- Approximately 66% of the state remains at least abnormally dry.
Current Outlooks
- Frigid conditions are in place, though a warming trend ensues this weekend.
- A system will move through the region Sunday night through Monday, bringing milder air and rain showers. Highs will reach the 40s and 50s during this time.
- A cold front on Tuesday drops temperatures back, with snow possible mid-week behind the front.
- Tranquil weather resumes for late next week.
- The current forecast calls for 0.25-0.50 inches for northwest counties and up to 1.25 inches possible for southern Ohio over the next 7 days.
- The Climate Prediction Center indicates rollercoaster weather the next couple of weeks. After this weekend’s warm up and cool down midweek next week, above average temperatures are likely for the week of December 13-19, with near average precipitation.
Updates provided by:
Aaron Wilson, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist
Stephanie Karhoff, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist
Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist
David Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist
Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist
Logan Minter, Specialty Crops Field Specialist
Jim Downs, Forestry Field Specialist
Vinayak Shedekar, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Water
Jeff Hattey, Professor of Soil Management
Chris Zoller, Interim Assistant Director, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rob Hamilton, DSWC Program Manager, Div of Soil and Water Conservation, Ohio Department of Agriculture
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For more drought data, visit drought.gov.
Drought conditions started in Ohio back in mid-June and have intensified all summer. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report on August 27, 2024, D4-exceptional drought was introduced to Ohio (Meigs and Athens Counties) for the first time since the U.S. Drought Monitor’s inception in 2000. On September 5, D4 increased to 7.35% of the state, while other categories of drought (D1-D3) significantly expanded. It is important to remember that D4 conditions only occur once every 50 to 100 years. Read more.
With an estimated 2.7 million Ohioans currently living with drought conditions, times are not easy. We often forget to check in on our mental health though during this time of high stress and anxiety. While many people can cope with the everyday stress of farming, it is important to know it is okay to not be okay. Especially with these types of weather extremes, it can be difficult for any farmer.
- Hurricane Helene's effect on soybean in Ohio
- Manure application to parched soil
- Drought, an early harvest, and fall herbicide applications
- Dry conditions in corn - implications and recommendations
- Forage nitrate toxicity a major concern as drought worsens
- Debby surprises but drought intensifies across southeast
- Worsening drought conditions in southern Ohio
- Weather extremes abound
- Weed management in hot, dry conditions
- Wheat harvest and double crop considerations for 2024
- New ANR fact sheet summarizing corn response to long-term weather patterns
- Beating the heat on farms
Drainage
Managing Controlled Drainage Structures in Spring and Fall
Drought and Drainage
Video: Battle for the Belt
Video: Corn Response to Drought
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has an Ohio Hay Directory for producers trying to sell or buy hay during the drought. If you have hay to sell, add your information here.
Once the directory is created, you'll find it on the 2024 Ohio Drought Resources page.
Ohio State University Extension BEEF Team
Winter Feeding Options for Beef Cows - program schedule in October 2024
- Addressing Feed & Forage Shortages
- Manure Application to Parched Soil
- Ohio Beef Cattle Letter
- Feeding Storm-Damaged Soybean Grain to Cattle
- Drought 2024: Winter Feeding Options for Beef Cows
- Drought to Frost: Feeding Safe Forages
- "Fog Fever" a Fall Pasture Problem
- Making Decisions During Drought
- Using Drought Stressed Soybeans For Hay or Silage
- Managing Forage to Finish 2024
- The Summer Grazing Plan
- Managing Heat Stress in Beef Animals
- Considerations for Pasture Risk Management Decisions
- Pasture Management Strategies During Dry Conditions
- Drought Management (Ohio Beef Cattle Letter archives)
- Mow Pastures or Not
- OSU Extension BEEF Team videos
Agricultural operations in Ohio have been significantly impacted by recent drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has programs available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA FSA Service Center to report their losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.
- Worksheet to Prepare for Your First Visit with USDA
- Establishing a Customer Record and Farm Record
- CRP Haying and Grazing
- Disaster Assistance At A Glance
- Disaster Assistance: ELAP - Livestock Assistance
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Disaster Designation and Declaration Process
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)
- Disaster Assistance: Emergency Loan Program
- Disaster Assistance: LFP - Livestock Forage Disaster Program
- Disaster Assistance: Livestock Indemnity Program
- Disaster Assistance: Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
- Disaster Assistance: Tree Assistance Program
- Disaster Assistance: What is the U.S. Drought Monitor?
Turf Team Times - also available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify
