Drought Information Statement for Eastern Ohio, Northern West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania Valid September 18, 2025 Issued By: NWS Pittsburgh, PA This product will be updated October 02, 2025 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/pbz/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates Dry conditions have led to deterioration in drought across the upper Ohio Valley. Extreme Drought (D3) conditions has been designated in portions of eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia. Moderate Drought (D1) and Severe Drought (D2) expanded across much of eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of Carroll, Columbiana, and Jefferson counties in OH and Hancock and portions of Brooke county in WV. D2 (Severe Drought): Much of eastern OH, the northern WV panhandle, portions of Preston and Tucker WV, and portions of western PA. D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of the rest of the region save for Fayette, Westmoreland and portions of counties from I-79 eastward. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Westmoreland, Fayette and portions of the surrounding counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Two Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Conditions did deteriorate across much of the state over the last 2 weeks, with conditions even more noticeable in the last 4 weeks. No Change: A portion of western Westmoreland, Indiana, and Fayette counties PA. Drought Improved: None Precipitation There was no precipitation recorded over the last 7 days, with much of the region below average for precipitation over the last 30 days. Precipitation is around 50% of normal or less over the last 30 days. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows running below normal across the upper Ohio Valley. Flows remain at normal levels on the mainstem rivers. Soil moisture is below average across the entire region. Some private wells are low. Agricultural Impacts Grasslands affected, feeding hay to cattle sooner. Some farmers unable to get a second cut of hay and need to rely on purchasing. Reports are highest in Ohio and West Virginia. Farmers hauling water for livestock as wells/ponds have dried up. Some selling of livestock reported. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire Risk is low. Mitigation Actions None reported. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows are running below normal in both the 7 and 14-day average flows as noted to the right. Local reservoirs are falling to near winter pool, which is early but not as early as 2024. No impacts to navigation noted locally. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow (left) and USGS 14 day average streamflow (right) HUC map valid 09/17/2025 Agricultural Impacts Near surface soil moisture is slightly below average with stronger signals in portions of eastern Ohio. There are reports that some farmers were unable to get a second hay cutting Planted late due to a wet start to summer Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Precipitation chances increase as we go into next week, though remain generally below an inch. Drought reducing rainfall is not projected over the next 7 days. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Warm temperatures and near to slightly below average precipitation is expected to continue through the next 8-14 days. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is predicted to persist through the next three months based on longer range forecasts and trends. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook