Dangerous dry conditions, wildfire risk across much of the four state region

Monday, June 25, 2012
A map released by the National Weather Service shows the drought areas for the region in May. The drought continues to worsen across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana and western Kentucky, as much drier than normal conditions persist. Courtesy National Weather Service

PADUCAH, Ky. -- The drought continues to worsen across southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana and western Kentucky, as much drier than normal conditions persist.

As of June 22 at Paducah, the deficit had reached 12.60 inches below the normal of 24.19 inches. Only 11.59 inches of precipitation had accumulated at Barkley Regional Airport so far this year. Conditions were almost identical across the Evansville area. At Evansville Regional Airport, 11.53 inches of precipitation had been observed, which was 11.61 inches below normal.

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, the concern for wildfires will likely increase, the Weather Service reported.

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