The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, issued Thursday, Sept. 26, says that virtually all of Ohio is affected by drought conditions and that 100% of Licking County residents are affected.
That’s in spite of the recent rain conditions throughout central Ohio. Though the rain is a boon to the environment today, it comes on the heels of months of hot, dry weather — meaning stream flows east of Licking County remain low, and serious drought conditions are persisting throughout large sections of Ohio and Kentucky, extending into neighboring states. Ohio led the region with topsoil moisture rated 95% very short to short on Sept. 22, followed by Indiana (79%) and Kentucky (77%).
Ohio also led the region on that date with 93% of its pastures rated very poor to poor.
Licking County experienced the fifth driest August in that past 130 years, and 2024 has been the 47th driest year to date in 130 years, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Meanwhile, “heavy rain moved into the southern reaches of the Midwest late in this drought-monitoring period, delivering significant relief from short-term dryness and drought, especially in much of Missouri and southern Illinois. A separate area of heavy rain fell in southern Wisconsin and environs. In contrast, abnormal dryness and moderate drought generally expanded in the upper Midwest, primarily in Minnesota,” the Drought Monitor report says.
The National Weather Service says there is a chance of rain in Licking County each day through Monday, Sept. 30 – including a 20% chance today and a 50% chance tonight.
On Friday, showers are likely in the morning, then showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Chance of rain for the day is 90%, with an 80% chance of rain on Friday night.
Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers during the day and at night. On Sunday, the chance of showers is 50% throughout the day and into the night.
Alan Miller writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.