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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Kentucky

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Kentucky using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Kentucky. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Lawns and vegetation are brown
  • Crops and pastures show mild stress
0.0
of KY
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures show stress; corn germination is poor
  • Burn bans are issued; wildfires are reported
  • Increased algae and fungus growth is noted
0.0
of KY
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay yield is low; crop losses are reported; livestock need supplemental hay and water
  • Ponds, lakes, and river levels are low; boating hazards are found in lakes
  • Trees are distressed; leaves are wilting, pine trees are turning brown
0.0
of KY
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Maintaining cattle and horses is very expensive; cost of food and water is very high; producers sell livestock
  • Creeks and ponds are completely dry; water shortages are widespread; water restrictions begin
0.0
of KY
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Hay hotline is put in place due to shortages; producers are hauling water
  • Water sources are extremely low
0
of KY
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Lawns and vegetation are brown
  • Crops and pastures show mild stress
0.0
of KY
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures show stress; corn germination is poor
  • Burn bans are issued; wildfires are reported
  • Increased algae and fungus growth is noted
0.0
of KY
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay yield is low; crop losses are reported; livestock need supplemental hay and water
  • Ponds, lakes, and river levels are low; boating hazards are found in lakes
  • Trees are distressed; leaves are wilting, pine trees are turning brown
0.0
of KY
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Maintaining cattle and horses is very expensive; cost of food and water is very high; producers sell livestock
  • Creeks and ponds are completely dry; water shortages are widespread; water restrictions begin
0.0
of KY
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Hay hotline is put in place due to shortages; producers are hauling water
  • Water sources are extremely low
0
of KY
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Lawns and vegetation are brown
  • Crops and pastures show mild stress
0.0
of KY
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Crops and pastures show stress; corn germination is poor
  • Burn bans are issued; wildfires are reported
  • Increased algae and fungus growth is noted
0.0
of KY
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Hay yield is low; crop losses are reported; livestock need supplemental hay and water
  • Ponds, lakes, and river levels are low; boating hazards are found in lakes
  • Trees are distressed; leaves are wilting, pine trees are turning brown
0.0
of KY
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Maintaining cattle and horses is very expensive; cost of food and water is very high; producers sell livestock
  • Creeks and ponds are completely dry; water shortages are widespread; water restrictions begin
0.0
of KY
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Hay hotline is put in place due to shortages; producers are hauling water
  • Water sources are extremely low
0
of KY
(D4)
0
people in Kentucky are affected by drought
9
counties with USDA disaster designations
37th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
37th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
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Drought in Kentucky from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1-D4) in Kentucky lasted 46 weeks beginning on May 22, 2007, and ending on April 1, 2008. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 16, 2007, where D4 affected 16.15% of Kentucky land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to

Drought Resources for Kentucky

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Regional Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Midwest Drought Email List
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Midwest.

North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Summary and Outlook Webinars
This webinar series, which covers the region from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, includes a summary of past and current conditions, potential and ongoing impacts across sectors (e.g., agriculture, water resources, navigation), and outlook information.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.