Drought Information Statement for Central Pennsylvania 
Valid May 8, 2026
Issued by: National Weather Service State College
The next update to this Drought Information Statement will be issued by May 23, 2026.

Recent rainfall has continued to produce short-term improvement across much of Central Pennsylvania, although long-term dryness persists across the far south. The Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal drought outlook calls for existing drought conditions across south-central Pennsylvania to largely persist through at least late-July.

U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent for Central Pennsylvania:

D2 (Severe Drought): Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Lancaster
D1 (Moderate Drought): Schuylkill, Huntingdon, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York
D0 (Abnormally Dry): Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Somerset, Mifflin, Juniata, Perry

One-Week Change in Drought Intensity:
There was little change in the U.S. Drought Monitor for Central Pennsylvania from last week to this week

30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal:
30-day precipitation ranged from slightly above average across north-central Pennsylvania to below average across the far south and much of the Susquehanna Valley.

Summary of Impacts:

Hydrologic Impacts:
Recent trend of gradual improvement continues, although long-term precipitation deficits persist across south-central PA.

Agricultural Impacts:
0 to 100 centimeter soil moisture remains anomalously dry across far south-central Pennsylvania, while being wetter than average across north-central Pennsylvania.

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

Other Impacts:
As of May 2, 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 mainly south-central Pennsylvania. Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

Latest PA drought designations:
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Drought Watches and Warnings for several south-central Pennsylvania counties. (The NWS does not declare Drought Watches or Warnings.)

Agricultural Conditions:
0 to 100 centimeter soil moisture remains anomalously dry across far south-central Pennsylvania, while being wetter than average across north-central Pennsylvania.

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

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast:
7-day precipitation across Central Pennsylvania is generally expected to be between half an inch and one inch, which is a bit below average.

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

Drought Outlook:
The latest CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for lingering drought conditions across south-central Pennsylvania to persist through at least late-July. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage.