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
Letters to Public Water Suppliers
- January 2, 2024 Drought Watch Letter (PDF)
- October 30, 2023 Drought Watch Letter (PDF)
- October 6, 2023 Drought Warning Letter (PDF)
- June 21, 2023 Drought Watch Letter (PDF)
- September 15, 2022 Drought Watch Letter (PDF)
- January 19, 2021 Drought Watch and Drought Warning Letter (PDF)
- November 9, 2020 Drought Watch and Drought Warning Letter (PDF)
- October 9, 2020 Drought Watch and Drought Warning Letter (PDF)
- September 21, 2020 Drought Watch and Drought Warning Letter (PDF)
- August 31, 2020 Letter to Public Water Suppliers (PDF)
- December 21, 2016 Letter to Public Water Suppliers (PDF)
- November 8, 2016 Letter to Public Water Suppliers (PDF)
- September 8, 2016 Letter to Public Water Suppliers (PDF)
- August 11, 2016 Letter to Public Water Suppliers (PDF)
Questions?
Phone: 717 772-4048
E-mail: droughtinfo@pa.gov