Drought deepens in Northwest Ohio

FINDLAY — Drought conditions in Northwest Ohio are getting worse. On Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor released maps showing portions of several counties in Northwest Ohio are now experiencing severe drought, elevated from moderate drought conditions just a week prior. Northern Hancock County is now considered to be in severe drought, along with portions of Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert and Wood counties. According to the Drought Monitor, 79% of Ohio is experiencing moderate to severe drought, with a pocket of extreme drought in Eastern Ohio. Impacts from severe drought include declining soil moisture, below-normal streamflow, and harm to agriculture and livestock production. Drought also increases the risk of field fires and reduces the length of and intensity of fall foliage. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures over the next two weeks will likely intensify drought conditions. In Findlay, rainfall totals for September have been alarmingly low. Just 0.41 inches of rain through mid-month has been reported, following a similarly dry August with only 0.63 inches. That's well below the historical average of 1.89 inches for September. According to the National Weather Service and the Climate Prediction Center, the temperature outlook for Northwest Ohio through September is also expected to remain above normal, continuing a trend seen throughout late summer. September 2025 has been significantly warmer than normal in Findlay, with high temperatures frequently exceeding historical averages. According to National Weather Service observations, daily highs ranged from 83 degrees to 86 degrees on multiple days between September 10 and 17, peaking at 86 degrees on Monday. This is well above the historical average high of 73.6 degrees for September. The elevated temperatures have coincided with persistent dry conditions, compounding the effects of the ongoing drought. With the Climate Prediction Center forecasting continued above-normal temperatures into early fall, the region may see further stress on crops and soil moisture. Corn and soybeans in Northwest Ohio are showing signs of stress, including premature aging and reduced pod fill, according to the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). Specialty crops like tomatoes, cucurbits and apples are suffering from nutrient deficiencies and drought stress. Livestock producers are facing water shortages, with some hauling water to fields due to drying ponds and creeks. Forage yields are expected to decline, affecting silage and pasture growth. CFAES tracks the impact of drought conditions on state agriculture. Northwest Ohio has faced consecutive years of drought, but the severity and scope of the 2024 event far surpassed what the region is experiencing now. In 2024, the state endured its most intense drought in 25 years, with parts of Ohio reaching exceptional drought status for the first time since the U.S. Drought Monitor began tracking in 2000. By late September 2024, 87.7 % of Ohio was in drought and 35.8% was classified as extreme to exceptional, with widespread agricultural impacts.