***A New Water Resources Outlook Format Begins March 2***
February 27, 2020: February precipitation has been about average plus or minus up to an inch. Temperatures have been warm averaging 4 to 8 degrees above normal. Over the past 90 days, precipitation in most areas has been about normal plus or minus an inch or so. In parts of central and eastern Pennsylvania, precipitation has been 1 to 3 inches below.
Snow depth ranges from 2 to 7 inches in much of southern New York with 1 to 4 inches in the northern tier of Pennsylvania. Little or none is on the ground elsewhere. The water equivalent of this snow (or the water in the snowpack that will be released when the snow melts) is mostly 0.5 to 1.5 inches with over 2 inches in areas of deepest snow cover in New York. This snow is sufficient to add up to a couple of additional feet of river rises should it melt quickly during a rain event. https://www.weather.gov/marfc/Snow
Current (February 27) data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows that streamflows are near or above normal. Groundwater levels are mostly above normal.
The weather outlook over the next couple of weeks calls for near or above average precipitation. Temperatures are expected to start cold but gradually warm to above average. The NWS Climate Prediction Center's 30 day outlook for March calls for near normal precipitation and near or below normal temperatures. The 90 day outlook for March through May calls for above average precipitation and temperatures.
The outlook for water resources and supplies is good. Little change is expected over the next couple of weeks. However, parts of central and eastern Pennsylvania need to be watched. Though temperatures have been quite warm region-wide this winter, this particular area is also looking at relatively dry conditions as well as little or no snow on the ground. If an extended period of dry weather were to occur, then this is likely to be the first area to experience a reduction in the outlook for water resources and/or supplies.
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