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Rain chance next week can help with drought conditions

A welcome chance for more rain next week is becoming even more important for local farmers as they plant their summer crops. Since December 1, Paducah has experienced its driest weather conditions on record for the period.

In fact, our dry weather pattern which began late summer of last year has continued through the winter and into early spring. 

Over the past month, moderate to severe drought is in place across a growing portion of the quad state. 

Drought is measured in a five-tier system of classification, D0 through D4.

Drought conditions have worsened in the past four weeks over most of western Kentucky, much of which is now in severe (D2) drought. All of west Tennessee is in the same predicament.

Western Kentucky counties bordering the Ohio River are in moderate (D1) drought along with most of southern Illinois. Massac, Pope and part of Johnson County are a bit better off with abnormally dry (D0) conditions.

Our region is actually faring better than the rest of the southeastern United States. Extreme (D4) drought is found in nearby Arkansas, along with parts of Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.

Only a narrow northern band of Great Lakes states are predominantly drought free this spring.
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