Drought Status Maps and News
Drought conditions in Pennsylvania are monitored through various parameters including precipitation, palmer soil dryness index, surface water flow, and groundwater levels.
Each parameter has their own individual indicator for each county. When readings hit a pre-determined trigger level, the indicator is coded as “Normal”, “Watch”, “Warning”, or “Emergency” for that county. These indicators are used to evaluate the drought status of a particular county; they are not, themselves drought declarations. Drought watch and warning declarations are determined by the Commonwealth Drought Coordinator and DEP, with support of the Drought Task Force; emergency declarations follow a similar process and are given final approval by the Governor.
Drought Status Map History
1980 - Present
Drought Reports