Drought Information Statement for Central Pennsylvania 
Valid September 4, 2026
Issued by: National Weather Service State College

Recent precipitation has brought continued gradual improvement to the lingering long-term drought across south-central Pennsylvania.

The latest CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for the potential continuation of the long-term drought conditions right along the Mason-Dixon line.

U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent:
D1 (Moderate Drought): Franklin, Adams, York
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Schuylkill, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Fulton, Bedford

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change:
Drought Improved: Minor improvement was observed over the past week across portions of Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties.

30-Day Precipitation and Percent of Normal:
Rainfall was above average across nearly all of Central Pennsylvania over the past 30 days.

7-Day & 30-Day Temperature Anomalies:
Temperatures were generally cooler than average in August 2026, although a warming trend has been observed during the first few days of September.

Hydrologic Impacts: 
The past 30 days have been relatively wet across most of Central Pennsylvania,.

Agricultural Impacts:
100-centimeter soil moisture remains below to well below average across the Cumberland and Susquehanna valleys, as well as across far northwestern Pennsylvania.

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

Other Impacts:
There are 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 is near to above average for nearly all of Central Pennsylvania outside of Franklin, southern Adams and far southern York County.

Fire Hazard Impacts:
The Significant Wildfire Potential Outlook calls for near average conditions for September 2026 across Central Pennsylvania.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast:
The 7-day rainfall forecast ranges from a quarter to half an inch across the Lower Susquehanna and Cumberland Valley and Tioga County up to over one and a half inches across western Somerset County.

Long-Range Outlooks:
The latest monthly outlook for September 2026 calls for above average temperatures and near to above average precipitation across Central Pennsylvania. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage.

Drought Outlook:
The latest CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook calls for the potential continuation of the long-term drought conditions right along the Mason-Dixon line. The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage.

This is the final Drought Information Outlook for Central Pennsylvania unless conditions worsen.