Drought Information Statement for Central Pennsylvania 
Valid April 10, 2026
Issued by: National Weather Service State College

Recent rainfall has continued to produce short-term improvement across central Pennsylvania, although long-term dryness persists across portions of the south. The Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal drought outlook calls for continued improvement and the likely removal of much of the lingering drought by early Summer.

U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent for Central Pennsylvania:
D2 (Severe Drought): Bedford, Fulton, Franklin
D1 (Moderate Drought): Schuylkill, Huntingdon, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York, Lancaster
D0 (Abnormally Dry): Centre, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Somerset, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry

One-Week Change in Drought Intensity
Continued improvement was observed across north-central Pennsylvania, with drought persisting across south-central Pennsylvania.

30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal:
30-day precipitation was above average for much of central Pennsylvania, outside of the Cumberland and Lower Susquehanna valleys.

7-Day and 30-Day Temperature Anomalies:
7-day temperatures anomalies were above average across central Pennsylvania, and 30-day temperature anomalies were above to well above average.

Summary of Impacts:
Hydrologic Impacts:
Precipitation has increased recently and helped with the short-term dryness, although long-term precipitation deficits across south-central PA.

Agricultural Impacts:
Soil moisture ranged from near average across north-central Pennsylvania to below average across far south-central Pennsylvania.

Fire Hazard Impacts:
The significant wildfire potential outlook remains near average across Pennsylvania for April 2026.

Other Impacts:
As of April 6, 2026, there were no countywide burn bans in effect across central Pennsylvania.

Mitigation Actions:
There are both voluntary and mandatory water restrictions in place for some communities across central Pennsylvania. Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

Agricultural Conditions:
0 to 100 centimeter soil moisture is generally near average across north-central Pennsylvania, and below average across south-central Pennsylvania.

Fire Hazard Impacts:
The significant wildfire potential is near average for central Pennsylvania for the month of April 2026.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast:
7-day day precipitation is forecasted to range from little if any across south-central Pennsylvania up to a half to three-quarters of an inch across the northwestern highlands.

8-14 Day Outlook:
8-14 day temperatures are expected to trend above average, with precipitation ranging from above average across northwestern Pennsylvania to near average across the southeast. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage.

Drought Outlook:
The Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal drought outlook calls for improvement and the likely removal of much of the lingering drought across Pennsylvania. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage.

The next update to this Drought Information Statement will be issued by April 24, 2026.