Drought Information Statement for the Quad State Region Valid September 18, 2025 Issued By: WFO Paducah, Kentucky Contact Information: nws.paducah@noaa.gov This product will be updated 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. A prolonged period of drier than normal conditions has resulted in drought conditions continuing to worsen across our region. This is following on the heels of what was one of our wettest starts to the year on record through early July. U.S. Drought Monitor Limited rainfall over the past 30-60 days has allowed drought conditions to expand and worsen across our region. Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Has been added to the bootheel of southeast Missouri and far southwest Kentucky. (7% of our area) D2 (Severe Drought): Has expanded across most of southeast Missouri, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois. (72% of our area is in D2 or worse drought) D1 (Moderate Drought): Nearly the entire region (97% coverage) is in at least D1 drought. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Covers the other 3% of the area (mainly Pike County, Indiana and a sliver of Daviess County, Kentucky). Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Improved: None Drought Worsened: Small areas of the bootheel of southeast Missouri and far southwest Kentucky have been downgraded to D3. A large area of the D1 area has been downgraded to D2 across western Kentucky, southeast Missouri, and southern Illinois. Meanwhile, D0 was converted to D1 across more of southwest Indiana. Precipitation Most of the region received very little, if any, rain. There were isolated pockets that received 0.50” to 1” mainly across southeast Missouri, southwest Illinois, and the Jackson Purchase area of west Kentucky. Extremely localized amounts up to 2” were observed in the Ozark Foothills of Missouri. Last 30 Day Average and Departure Temperature Temperatures averaged above normal over the past week, with highs in the 90s. This was following a prolonged period of well below normal temperatures, which lasted from August 24th through September 9th. This was the coldest such period on record for Paducah and Cape Girardeau and several records lows were established. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts 14 day streamflows, according to USGS data, are below the 25th percentile in some locations. Many areas still have near average streamflows though, thanks to a very wet first half of the year. Agricultural Impacts Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMORs) have increased over the past several weeks indicating dry ponds, dead grass, crop impacts and potential reduced crop yield in areas in D1 or worse drought. Some farmers have begun supplement feeding of livestock. Fire Hazard Impacts Approximately half of our 58 counties are under burn bans now. Other Impacts There have been reports of low farm pond levels and instances of leaves turning color and starting to drop. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rivers have steadily fallen across the region since the beginning of August. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has continued to deteriorate across the lower Ohio and middle Mississippi Valleys. Fire Hazard Impacts Many counties have enacted burn bans across west Kentucky, along with a few areas in southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast There are some prospects for rain over the next week. The pattern may turn somewhat unsettled this weekend into next week. While some areas may receive greater than 0.50”, there remains fairly low confidence on how widespread that will be. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage A slight lean towards above normal temperatures is favored through the next 3 months. There is a slight tilt towards drier than normal conditions continuing into the Fall season. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to continue and may worsen more over the coming weeks. The drier than normal conditions may continue into the Fall season, resulting in drought persisting.