A classic definition of drought is an extended period of little or no precipitation. This period could be weeks, months, a season, a year or many years. This definition is a meteorological one. The oddity is there is no set number of days or week that makes a period of dry weather a drought. So when and how this term is used is a bit ambiguous.

Other definitions include an “agricultural drought” which refers to dry weather leading to diminished moisture in the root zone for plants. The timing of this kind of drought during the growing season can have serious impacts for the food supply. There is also a “hydrological drought”. This kind of drought usually persists for a significant length of time and has serious implications on the area’s water table. While all droughts are serious, this one usually brings about mandatory and widespread water conservation efforts.

As of this writing only the southeast counties of Kentucky are considered dry enough to be in a moderate drought. The rest of the state and southern Indiana would be considered abnormally dry (perhaps one could even say a slight drought). Despite the fact that yards and gardens are showing some stress across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky, this area has still received 75 to 90% of their normal rainfall for the year. However, down across southeast Kentucky only about 50% of their normal rainfall for the year has occurred.

So, is this the start of the “Drought of 2007”? It’s never a good sign to go into the summer season dry. Why? Because of the nature of summertime precipitation which can be rather spotty. You could get a heavy downpour of rain that drops an inch or two of rain on you in a short period of time but your neighbor a mile down the road might not receive a drop. This kind of precipitation is less than ideal to alleviate any widespread, long term dry conditions. In fact, it doesn’t do a whole lot to help in the short term either as so much of those summer downpours goes into runoff or doesn’t get a chance to percolate down into the ground. Oddly, one of the best ways to eliminate drought in this part of the country during the summer is with the remnants of a tropical storm or hurricane.

You’re right. I haven’t answered the question about the Drought of 2007. My feeling is that it might get worse before it gets better. The summer might start dry but perhaps ease back into more normal precipitation by the mid to late summer. In any case, let’s be smart about our water usage and outdoor burning during this period of dry weather.