Ohio's severe drought is all but over. Monitor shows some dry

After a snowy week, drought conditions in Ohio have continued to improve — and most of the state is out of “severe drought” conditions.

While the news comes a little too late for Christmas growers, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday that only a small eastern portion of Ohio — about 7% of the state — is experiencing severe drought. Another 44% is still experiencing moderate drought.

Franklin County is now under “abnormally dry” conditions along with 15% of the state. About 34% of Ohio has no dry conditions at all.

The new map is far from the severe drought conditions that plagued Ohio in late summer and early fall. A rainier November gradually improved conditions, and this week’s map shows recent snowfalls have further moistened the state.

A map by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows some dry conditions remain in Ohio as of Dec. 3, 2024.

Three months ago, on Sept. 3, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported only about 5% of the state was experiencing normal conditions.

About 7% of the state was under exceptional drought, the monitor’s highest drought level. Another 15%, including part of Franklin County, was under extreme drought, 9% was under severe drought, and 30% was under moderate drought conditions. Over 33% of the state was abnormally dry.

The drought conditions led to a burn ban across 24 counties, which the state Fire Marshal lifted in October. The USDA declared 22 Ohio counties natural disaster areas, allowing farmers to apply for emergency loans from the federal government.

Dry conditions should continue to improve; the National Weather Service forecasts more rain ahead this weekend and early next week.

Columbus weather forecast for the week of Dec. 6, 2024

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 33 and a west wind around 11 mph. The night will bring partly cloudy skies, with a low of around 20 and a southwest wind of around 8 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39 and a southwest wind 7 to 14 mph. At night, skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low of around 32 and a southwest wind of 10 to 14 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 51 and southwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Night will bring rain, mainly after 1am, and a low around 40. The chance of precipitation is 90%, and new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.
Monday: Rain, mainly before 1pm, and a high near 55. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Nighttime will see mostly cloudy skies, a low around 43 and a 50% chance of more rain.
Tuesday: A 50% chance of rain and mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 52. Tuesday night’s weather will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 31, with a 30% chance of more rain before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow.
Wednesday: A 30% chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Night skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

bagallion@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio’s drought mostly over, some dry conditions remain

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