By Aaron Wilson, Ph.D., Ohio State Extension

As 2025 draws to a close and we enter meteorological winter (December – February), let us assess current conditions around the state. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report, drought is still very much present across northwest Ohio (Figure 1). Approximately 17% of Ohio is in drought (D1-D3), with just over 8% in D3 (extreme drought). Even though many of the agricultural drought indicators we rely on to monitor drought throughout the growing season have diminished, the hydrologic (water-related) impacts remain. Precipitation deficits over the last 180 days (June 3 – November 29) are 9 to 12 inches below normal in far northern Mercer, Van Wert, southern Paulding, and southern Henry Counties. This has led to persistently low soil moist

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