Drought in West Virginia, June 1 to 30, 1999

High pressure was the dominant weather feature across the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia during the month. This weather pattern directed rain producing low pressure systems north of the region and continued the climatological drought that has gripped the area since last summer. The Palmer Drought Index, a measure of long term drought conditions, indicated the Eastern Panhandle was in an extreme drought by the end of the month. June was the 8th month in the past 12 months that precipitation was below normal. The region was a staggering 15 inches below average for precipitation during the period. Rainfall totals across the Eastern Panhandle during the month of June included 0.6 inches in Pendleton County, 0.8 inches in Grant County, 0.7 inches in Mineral County, 2.1 inches in Jefferson County, 1.1 inches in Hampshire County, and 2.3 inches in Morgan County. The lack of precipitation also continued to beat down crops and pastureland. Watering holes and irrigation sources continued to dry up, forcing many farmers to carry water to livestock. Hay producers reported less than half of their normal yields from their second cutting. By mid month, corn stalks that should have been waist high were only knee high. Area farmers reported most pastures were in poor to very poor condition and at least one third of the hay crop was in poor or very poor condition. More than half of topsoil was reported short or very short of moisture across the state.