Despite welcome showers last week, much of Ohio remains in drought conditions, according to the latest analysis from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Franklin County is seeing moderate drought conditions across most of the county, with abnormally dry conditions in the northeast corner, according to a map from the U.S. Drought Monitor released Wednesday. The map includes data through Tuesday.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is part of a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The data does not include showers Ohio saw since Tuesday. According to the NOAA, Columbus received .7 inches of rain on Wednesday. It’s too early to say whether that rain will pull the Columbus area out of drought conditions; that rain will be reflected in next week’s map.
Columbus sees a total of about 4.5 inches of rain each July, according to NOAAA.
At the drought category that most of Franklin County is experiencing, landscaping businesses suffer, fewer mosquitos are observed and small brush fires can occur. Hay and fruit yields decrease, and leaves on corn plants curl from lack of moisture, according to the Drought Monitor’s website.
More on Hurricane Beryl: Will record-setting storm impact Ohio as it makes its way to the US?
But wetter conditions are in store this weekend as scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast starting Friday at 2 p.m. A few severe storms with damaging winds are possible, along with localized flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Friday will see a high of 81 and a low of 66 with a 40% chance of rain, according to the NWS.
Will Hurricane Beryl bring more rain?
It’s possible the arrival of Hurricane Beryl could change things. Some models show the path of the storm cutting back through the southern United states and into parts of Ohio. Ohio has been impacted by hurricanes before. In Sept. 2008, Hurricane Ike left a trail of damage as it tore through Ohio, including Columbus.
Meteorologist Steve Hrebenach of the National Weather Service said earlier this week he was “not concerned” about the storm impacting Ohio, although some remnants could make their way into the Ohio Valley.
When hurricane or tropical storm remnants reach Ohio, they mostly cause heavy rain and high winds. Hurricane Ike was an outlier because it drew strength as it crossed the mainland, whereas hurricanes typically lose strength quickly upon reaching land.
What's the weather this weekend?
After a stormy start Friday, the rain will give way to sun before showers return next week, according to the NWS:
- Saturday will be sunny with a high near 85 and winds 5-11 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 65 and calmer winds.
- Sunday will be sunny with a high near 88 and a light west wind. Sunday night will be mostly clear with a low around 66.
- Monday will be sunny with a high near 93. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.
- Tuesday will be partly sunny with a high near 88 and a 60% chance of precipitation. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day and night until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Tuesday night will have a low near 68.
bagallion@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus weather: Drought conditions continue, but more rain on the way
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