Drought Watch Expanded to 37 Pennsylvania Counties
Explore the precipitation, surface water, and groundwater data used to monitor drought in Pennsylvania
Explore the precipitation, surface water, and groundwater data used to monitor drought in Pennsylvania
By Pennsylvania Water Science Center
December 10, 2025
USGS groundwater and surface water monitoring data contributed to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PaDEP) December 4, 2025, expansion of drought watches to eight additional counties. A total of 37 counties are now under drought watch.
Streamflow and groundwater levels, National Weather Service data on precipitation, and Climate Prediction Center calculations of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (for soil moisture dryness) are used by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as indicators that help determine drought status. Trends in the USGS-provided information can be explored via our Web Tool.