Intensifying drought impacts Kentucky, marking the first 'extreme' designation of the year
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, a collaboration between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has painted a grim picture for Kentucky. The report, which covers the previous seven days through Tuesday morning and is released each Thursday, indicates a deepening drought situation in the state.
Over the past week, the percentage of Kentucky classified as 'Abnormally Dry' has decreased, from 37.82% to 18%. However, this decrease is more a reflection of more areas experiencing worsened conditions rather than improvement. In contrast, the 'Moderate Drought' and 'Serious Drought' areas have seen a substantial increase. Nearly half of Kentucky, 47.46%, is now in 'Moderate Drought,' up from 44.14% last week, and 'Serious Drought,' D2, now includes 19.80% of Kentucky, up seven and a half times the 2.61% last week.
The most concerning development is the first-time occurrence of an area in Kentucky being designated as 'Extreme Drought,' D3. The D3 designation has been extended to a small area in far Southwestern Kentucky, including Calloway, Fulton, Graves, and Hickman counties. This is the first time D3 conditions have occurred in Kentucky since September 24, 2024.
Adam Allgood, a meteorologist responsible for the weather service, provided testimony regarding the weather behavior in Kentucky. He attributed the rapid worsening of drought conditions across the Ohio Valley to persistent subnormal rainfall, low humidity, and high evapotranspirative rates. Meteorological indices such as the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) show worsening conditions across the Ohio Valley.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports also indicate that most of the Ohio Valley remained dry throughout the past week, and only light rainfall is forecasted for the Ohio Valley in the coming week, which may further exacerbate drought conditions. Groundwater and streamflow values continue to fall, according to the reports.
Despite these challenging conditions, no area in Kentucky is currently designated as D4, or 'Exceptional Drought.' However, the percentage of Kentucky with no drought conditions has decreased, while the areas with 'Abnormally Dry,' 'Moderate Drought,' and 'Serious Drought' conditions have increased.
The U.S. Drought Monitor report for Kentucky, released on Thursday, paints a stark picture of the current state of the state's water resources. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for residents and farmers to stay informed and take necessary precautions to conserve water and prepare for potential water restrictions.
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