Drought Conditions and Resources

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. 

Weekly Update

July 3, 2024: The weather pattern turned quite active this past week, with numerous rounds of showers and storms across northern Ohio. Southern counties continued to miss out on much of the heavier rainfall and moderate drought conditions continue to expand across this area. 

Observed Weather Summary:

• Temperatures were much cooler this week, running 1-3°F below average along and northwest of about I-71
• Widespread heavy rain (3-8") occurred across northern Ohio counties. The CFAES Ag Research Facility in Ashtabula reported 7.71" this week
• Many counties across southern Ohio received less than 0.5"
• Precipitation over the last 30 to 60 days continues to run below to much below average (10-50% of normal) for this time of year across along and southeast of about I-71

 Impacts

• Less evaporative demand from the atmosphere led to decreased crop across northern Ohio but continued drying across the south
• Pasture conditions are deteriorating across southern Ohio as well
• Landscape and young trees are showing signs of stress (browning grass, yellowing leaves) in the drought area
• Soil moisture and river levels continue to fall
• Wildfire danger is increasing for southeast Ohio
• Standing water and some yellowing of soybeans are being reported across the north

 Drought Monitor

• The U.S. Drought Monitor has now placed ~28% of the state into D1-moderate drought conditions this week, with approximately 68% of the state experiencing at least D0-abnormally dry conditions.

 Current Outlooks

• Temperatures are forecast to remain seasonal this week, with highs generally in the 80s and overnight lows in the 60s.
• Rainfall this week will struggle to reach seasonal norms (~1-1.25") with isolated heavier pockets of rainfall likely
• The Climate Prediction Center shows near to above normal temperatures and precipitation are likely over the 6 to 14-day period (July 9-17)
• Drought development and expansion is likely in the coming weeks

 Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor only includes precipitation for the week through 8 am Tuesday mornings.

For more drought data, visit drought.gov.