Is Edmonson County in a drought?
No drought
No. Edmonson County has no drought and no abnormally dry areas on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026. It was last in drought the week of Jun 9, 2026.
Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 0% of Kentucky is in drought.
This week’s map
The Drought Monitor for Kentucky, valid Sep 15, 2026. County lines are drawn in; the categories are the same as the national map.

- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Open the live map with the Drought Monitor
Map courtesy of the US Drought Monitor, NDMC-UNL, with USDA and NOAA. Original at droughtmonitor.unl.edu
This week's map, by category
Percent of Edmonson County in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 0%, D1 0%, D2 0%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 100%.
| Category | This weekSep 15 | Last weekSep 8 | 3 months agoJun 16 | A year agoSep 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| D1 to D4 Moderate or worse | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% |
| D2 to D4 Severe or worse | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| D3 to D4 Extreme or worse | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| D4 Exceptional drought | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| None | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
The past year
Percent of Edmonson County in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
| Map | D0+ | D1+ | D2+ | D3+ | D4+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 11, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 100% | 32.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| May 26, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| May 19, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% |
| May 12, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 43.8% | 0% |
| May 5, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 53.2% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 50.1% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 100% | 58.7% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 64.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 99.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 99.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 5.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 100% | 6.5% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 100% | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 100% | 33% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Since 2000
Every weekly map of Edmonson County since January 2000.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
| Year | Worst category | Most in drought | Week of | Weeks with drought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Apr 7 | 11 of 37 |
| 2025 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Sep 2 | 7 of 52 |
| 2024 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 2 | 6 of 53 |
| 2023 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Dec 19 | 11 of 52 |
| 2022 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jul 5 | 16 of 52 |
| 2021 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2020 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2019 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Sep 24 | 5 of 53 |
| 2018 | None | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2017 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2016 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Nov 1 | 8 of 52 |
| 2015 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Feb 10 | 6 of 52 |
| 2014 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Jul 29 | 3 of 52 |
| 2013 | None | 0% | 0 of 53 | |
| 2012 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jun 26 | 11 of 52 |
| 2011 | D1 Moderate drought | 98.3% | Aug 30 | 1 of 52 |
| 2010 | D2 Severe drought | 89.6% | Nov 2 | 6 of 52 |
| 2009 | D1 Moderate drought | 64.6% | Jan 6 | 1 of 52 |
| 2008 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Sep 23 | 18 of 53 |
| 2007 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jun 5 | 21 of 52 |
| 2006 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 3 | 5 of 52 |
| 2005 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Nov 8 | 8 of 52 |
| 2004 | None | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2003 | None | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2002 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Sep 17 | 5 of 53 |
| 2001 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | May 1 | 6 of 52 |
| 2000 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 10 of 52 |
Drought history since 2000
Some part of Edmonson County was in drought on 12% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000.
- Weeks with some drought
- 165 of 1,394 (12%)
- Worst category reached
- D3 Extreme drought, last the week of May 19, 2026
- Most widespread
- 100% in drought, week of Jun 2, 2026
- Longest spell
- 21 weeks, Jun 5, 2007 to Oct 23, 2007
- Last in drought
- Week of Jun 9, 2026
Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Edmonson County: whether drought is expected to develop, persist, improve or end.
- Monthly outlook, Sep 2026
- No drought expected
- Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 17)
- No drought expected
The monthly outlook is issued on the last day of each month, the seasonal one on the third Thursday. CPC's discussion.
What drought has meant in Kentucky
The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Kentucky at each level of drought.
D0 Abnormally dry
- Crops and pastures show mild stress
- Lawns and vegetation are brown
D1 Moderate drought
- Burn bans are issued; wildfires are reported
- Crops and pastures show stress; corn germination is poor
- Increased algae and fungus growth is noted
- Trees begin to show mild stress
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
- Tress distressed, leaves wilting, pine trees turning brown
D3 Extreme drought
- Creeks and ponds are completely dry; water shortages are widespread; water restrictions begin
- Maintaining cattle and horses is very expensive, cost of food and water is very high; producers sell livestock
D4 Exceptional drought
- Hay hotline is put in place due to shortages; producers are hauling water
- Water sources are extremely low
Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.
Burn bans and water restrictions
The Drought Monitor does not issue burn bans or water restrictions. Edmonson County's officials, the state forestry or fire agency, and local water utilities set them, often once drought reaches D2 or dry fuels raise the fire danger. Check the county's emergency management office or fire marshal for a ban in force, and the alerts page for red flag warnings and fire weather watches.
This week in the Midwest
The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.
Significant rainfall was observed over western Kentucky as well as over central-to-north Missouri, leading in removal of abnormally dry conditions. Heavy rain also fell in northwestern Iowa, northern Minnesota, and a band across central Wisconsin, with drought improvement as a result in these locations. Meanwhile, a mostly rain-free week in northern Illinois and Indiana caused introduction of an abnormally dry area. Extreme drought conditions can be found in southern Missouri, northern Wisconsin, and along the borders of Minnesota with both Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Looking ahead
Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.
The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.
Written by Lindsay Johnson, National Drought Mitigation Center; David Mocko, SSAI, NASA/GSFC. The national narrative.
What this means
The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- Going into or coming out of drought.
- D1 Moderate drought
- Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
- D2 Severe drought
- Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
- D3 Extreme drought
- Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
- D4 Exceptional drought
- Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.
The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.
Nearby
The counties bordering Edmonson County, with the worst category on this week's map.
Sources
Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.