COLUMBUS, Ohio — The summer of 2024 is one to remember when it comes to weather as central Ohio has been dealing with extreme heat and a lack of rain for the past three months.
According to the National Weather Service, Columbus only received 5.07 inches of rain from June 1 to Aug. 31 (meteorological summer). Normally between June through August, we receive 12.74 inches of rain.
That makes the third driest summer Columbus has experienced since 1879. The lack of rain has caused about 75% of the state to be under some level of drought. Nearly 43% of the state is dealing with "Severe Drought" conditions or worse.
For the first time in the history of the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Athens and Meigs County are under the worst level — Exceptional Drought.
On top of the lack of rain, it's been a scorcher of a summer. Central Ohio has experienced 31 days of 90 degree temperatures or higher. Typically, we average 14 days of 90 degree weather all year.
Incredibly, as of the end of May, no locations in Ohio were experiencing any drought conditions.
Unfortunately, the forecast will be dry through at least Friday before an approaching weather system will bring our next chance of rain and a few storms.
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