Drought Watch Expanded to 40 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
January 14, 2026
USGS groundwater and surface water monitoring data contributed to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PaDEP) January 8, 2026, expansion of drought watches to three additional counties. A total of 40 counties are now under drought watch, and one county under a warning.
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.