Moderate drought continues here

Central Hancock and Putnam counties, and the northern edge of Allen County, are still experiencing moderate drought conditions, the only area of drought left in the state of Ohio, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Much of Northwest Ohio also remains abnormally dry, with areas of continued dryness in other areas of the state, according to maps released by the monitor on Thursday. It has been nearly eight weeks since the drought was first declared on June 8 for much of Northwest Ohio. The most severe drought for Northwest Ohio in recent years occurred in July 2016 and reached the rank of "D2," according to the Drought Monitor. "D2" is considered a severe drought. The worst of the drought conditions only lasted for about a week in 2016, but precipitation remained below normal that year through September. According to measurements taken by the National Weather Service Office at the Findlay Airport, Hancock County received 3.16 inches of rain in July. That's below the norm of 3.63 inches. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have said enough rain is needed to overcome an already "substantial deficit." In the Findlay area, a total of 1.73 inches of rain was recorded in June. The normal amount of rainfall for the month is 3.93 inches. Before June 11, there had been no rainfall in Northwest Ohio for 21 days, according to the weather service. A total of 3.59 inches of rain was recorded in March. Normal rainfall for the month is 2.33 inches. However, in April, rainfall was about half the norm, with a total of 1.8 inches recorded. Normal rainfall for April is 3.42 inches. Rainfall in May was well below the norm of 3.75 inches. Only 0.94 of an inch was recorded for the month. The five-day forecast from the National Weather Service for Findlay shows a slight chance of showers today. There is an improved chance of rain on Sunday and Monday. Temperatures are expected to stay in the high 80s through the weekend, with night-time lows in the mid-60s to upper 60s. The U.S. Drought Monitor was established in 1999 as a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. About 250 climatologists and extension agents work to update drought maps each week and report how drought conditions are affecting crops and wildlife.