KENTUCKY — Prolonged periods of dry conditions over the last couple of months have finally lead to areas of concern in Kentucky.

What You Need To Know


  • Latest Drought Monitor has placed portions of Kentucky in "Abnormally Dry" conditions

  • This is possibly leading to a slowing of growth of crops and pastures

  • Some parts of wetern Kentucky are 2-4" behind average rainfall since May 1st.

  • Eastern Kentucky remains in good shape with a surplus of rainfall recently.

What is the Drought Monitor?

The United States Drought monitor, created by the National Drought Mitigation Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a map of data showing areas of the country which are experiencing drought-like conditions.  New data is provided every Thursday, and includes all precipitation up through the previous Tuesday.

 

Current Situation in Kentucky

The latest Drought Monitor, from June 16, indicates Abnormally Dry conditions across portions of Kentucky.  The largest area exists across western portions of the Commonwealth.  Under this classification, these areas are beginning to go into a drought.  The effects of this short-term dryness are slowing growth of crops or planting.

 

 

This dryness can be seen when looking at rainfall deficits compared to average since May 1st.  Eastern Kentucky, from I-75 and west, has seen a surplus of up to 2 inches.  Western Kentucky is behind by as much as 4 inches in some areas.

 

Outlook

Thankfully, looking ahead to the rest of June and early July, model data is pointing to near to slightly above average rainfall across Kentucky.