Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid April 11, 1024 Issued By: WFO Paducah, Kentucky Contact Information: nws.paducah@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 18, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/pah/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Drought conditions continue to worsen in parts of southeast Missouri. Severe drought has pushed into parts of the Ozark Foothills. As chances for precipitation increase in the next few weeks, so will evapo-transpiration needs as the spring green-up continues. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor U.S. Drought Monitor for southeast MO, southern IL, southwest IN, and west KY Severe drought has crept into parts of southeast Missouri Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Covers about 3% of the forecast area in part of southeast Missouri along the Ozark Foothills D1 (Moderate Drought): Covers about 59% of the forecast area in parts of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois and west Kentucky D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covers most of the rest of the forecast area including parts of southwest Indiana Recent Change in Drought Intensity 4-week change map for southeast MO, southern IL, southwest IN, and west KY One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Improved: One category across parts of our northern counties. Drought Worsened: One category across parts of southeast Missouri and far west Kentucky. Precipitation Areas east of the Mississippi River received up to an inch of rain that continues to help surface moisture. Areas west of the Mississippi River received far less rainfall. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature Warmer than normal temperatures have continued into spring. Much of the area is seeing average temperatures 2 to 6 degrees warmer than normal. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts Greenup is well underway. Crops are being planted. Due to the early nature of the growing season, some homeowners are having to water ornamental plants when there is a stretch of dry weather. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall earlier this week helped to increase streamflows across mainly Illinois and Indiana. Missouri and Kentucky saw below normal flows on many smaller rivers. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rainfall earlier this week helped to increase streamflows across mainly Illinois and Indiana. Missouri and Kentucky saw below normal flows on many smaller rivers. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal for a large part of the Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys. Fire Hazard Impacts No Wildfire Hazards at this time. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The weekend is expected to be dry with warming temperatures. Much of the area could see highs in the 80s by Sunday. Warm weather is expected into much of next week as well. A couple of storm systems will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms to the region on Tuesday and again on Thursday. Up to an inch is expected however there could be some isolated high amounts with stronger storms. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook After a warm and dry weekend, a couple of storm systems are expected next week that could produce locally heavy rainfall. At this time, we are primarily looking at the Tuesday and Thursday timeframes. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The warmer than normal pattern will continue through April. An active storm pattern will keep periodic chances for showers and storms through much of the rest of the month. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage If an active weather pattern continues, some improvement in the most severe drought areas is possible through the end of April.