FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky is under a Level 1 Drought Declaration from the Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, a Level 1 Drought means moderate-to-severe drought conditions have developed, mostly affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. It said “serious impacts to agricultural water needs, wildfire risk and other water-sensitive sectors can be expected in the designated areas, with the hardest hit areas being portions of western and central Kentucky, as well as parts of the Bluegrass region.”

The state is experiencing widespread dryness that has intensified over the latter part of the summer, the cabinet said. It noted precipitation has been spotty for the past two months, resulting in drought conditions that primarily affect soil moisture and vegetative health.

“Over the past 30 days, data from the UK Ag Weather Center shows that the state has only averaged 1.69 inches of rain, which is over 1.5 inches below normal,” said Matthew Dixon, senior meteorologist with the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center.

“Despite severe dryness that began in mid-June, most rivers are flowing at the lower end of a normal range for this time of year. In some rivers and their tributaries, however, moderate hydrologic drought is developing, including the lower Green, lower Kentucky and Licking River basins. Most drinking water supplies across Kentucky have held up well, however in areas with moderate-to-severe drought, there is an increasing likelihood of water shortages developing in rivers and small water supply lakes.”

State Climatologist and Director of the Kentucky Mesonet and Kentucky Climate Center Jerry Brotzge, in coordination with the Kentucky Drought Mitigation Team, said he expects the drought conditions to continue.

“Looking ahead, seasonal forecasts offer a mixed bag for Kentucky,” Brotzge said. “The early October forecast from NOAA predicts below-normal precipitation for all of Kentucky, whereas the 3-month fall outlook forecasts equal chances for above-or below-normal precipitation.”

Brotzge said as the state transitions into a La Nina phase (a cooling of the South Pacific water temperatures) over the next few months, the winter and spring seasonal forecasts are predicting above normal precipitation for the state.

More information about drought conditions can be found on the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet website.