Summary
Daytime temperatures during the final week of August were blistering hot, running 5-10°F above average. Many locations throughout the week set daily records, with highs of 95-100°F. Rainfall was hard to come by as well, with precipitation running 5-25% of normal for many counties in central and east central Ohio over the last 14 days. June-August precipitation totaled less than 5 inches in many locations of east central and southeast Ohio. Last week’s U.S. Drought Monitor revealed D4-Exceptional Drought for the first time in Ohio (Meigs and Athens Counties) since the U.S. Drought Monitor’s inception in 2000 (Figure 1). The new update will be released at 8:30 am on Thursday September 5, 2024. Impacts are significant with very poor pasture conditions, low ponds, dry creeks, water hauling, and failing crops (no soybean fill, significant decreases in yield expected). The Hocking River at Athens hit a record low level and the least amount of flow since 1930 according to the USGS. To view local reports or submit one for your location, please visit the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports page. For a more detailed look at conditions and resources, visit our Drought Response Page or for the latest up-to-date conditions, seasonal outlooks, and monthly climate summaries, please visit the State Climate Office of Ohio.
Weather Forecast
Cooler, drier air has made its way to Ohio this past weekend, but temperatures will be on the rise this week, back into the mid to upper 80s by mid-week. A cold front is expected to move across the state on Friday, bringing with it showers and storms. Behind this front, colder air will move in once again, with highs in the 60s and 70s over the weekend, with lows back in the 40s and 50s. Weekly precipitation is forecast to range from 0.10-0.5” across southern Ohio, to as much as 1” across northeast counties (Figure 2).
The 8-14 day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center show near to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation are expected (Figure 3). This will lead to continued worsening of drought conditions and increased field and combine fires as harvest season begins. Climate averages include a high-temperature range of 78-82°F, a low-temperature range of 57-60°F, and weekly total precipitation of about 0.75”.
