FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) — A lack of rainfall across Kentucky, coinciding with the start of the growing season, has left most of the state either abnormally dry or in drought conditions, according to the latest weekly U.S. Drought Monitor report.
Currently, 11.78% of the state shows no drought conditions, down from 14.11% the previous week.
About 33.32% of Kentucky is now classified as “Abnormally Dry” (D0) on the scale that ranges up to D4, which represents exceptional drought. The previous report listed that figure at 65.31%, with the drop reflecting worsening conditions.
The report shows 37.04% of the state in D1, or “Moderate Drought,” nearly doubling last week’s 19.01%.
Areas classified as D2, or “Severe Drought,” have expanded significantly, now covering 17.85% of the state compared to just 1.58% a week earlier. No areas in Kentucky are currently classified as D3 “Extreme Drought” or D4 “Exceptional Drought.”
David Simeral of the Western Regional Climate Center said, “In Kentucky, short-term dryness and developing hydrologic drought conditions led to expansion and intensification of drought.”
Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center forecasts warmer-than-normal temperatures over the next six to ten days, with precipitation expected to remain near normal across most of the state and slightly above normal in western areas. The 8–14-day outlook continues to call for above-average temperatures, along with slightly higher-than-normal precipitation statewide.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced jointly by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Observations are recorded each Tuesday, with updated reports released two days later.
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