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. 

Note: The U.S. Drought Monitor only includes precipitation for the week through 7 am Tuesday mornings.

March 13, 2025: The meteorological winter of 2024-2025 (December-February) was colder than average, with temperatures running 1-3°F below normal. Precipitation was highly variable throughout the winter and varied quite a bit across the state. Northwest and southeast Ohio are still the primary areas of dryness though earlier season precipitation in the southeast improved soil moisture and brought springs, wells, and rivers back to close to normal status. In fact, for the first time since late June, Ohio was drought free for the week of February 25 but has since moved back into moderate drought conditions in far northwest counties. An optimistic weather forecast for continued soil moisture recharge remain, with additional rounds of precipitation expected across Ohio over the next couple of weeks. As of this update, we will resume our weekly updates until the elevated drought threat for northwest and southeast Ohio subsides

 Current Conditions Update

• Spring temperatures have taken hold this week, running 3-8°F above normal over the past 7 days.
• Liquid-equivalent precipitation (rain + melted frozen precipitation) has ranged from less than 2.5 inches across northwest Ohio to over 5 inches in southern and eastern counties.
• This precipitation represents 50-75% of normal for northwestern counties but up to 175% along the I-71 corridor.
• A strong, dynamic system will bring high winds and heavy rain to the state on Friday-night through Saturday (March 14-15).
• Precipitation over the next 7 days is forecast to range from 0.5-1 inches around the Youngstown area to more than 2 inches in southwest Ohio.
• The 8–14-day outlook, valid for March 18-22 shows strong probabilities for above normal temperatures and a slightly elevated probability for above normal precipitation.

Updates provided by:

Aaron Wilson, Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist
Jim Downs, Forestry Field Specialist
Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock Field Specialist
Jeff Hattey, Soil Management State Specialist
Stephanie Karhoff, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist
Dave Marrison, Farm Management Field Specialist and Interim Director of the Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute
Logan Minter, Specialty Crops Field Specialist
Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle and Livestock Marketing Field Specialist
Vinayak Shedekar, Agricultural Water Management
Chris Zoller, Interim Assistant Director, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

For more current drought data, visit drought.gov.