Drought Information Statement for 
Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Hydrologic Service Area
Valid May 5, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt. Holly
Contact Information: wfophi.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated June 12, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/phi/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.

The state of New Jersey has issued a Drought Warning for the entire state.
There are no state declarations in place for Delaware.
The state of Pennsylvania has issued either a Drought Watch or Drought Warning for our southeast Pennsylvania Counties.
The state of Maryland has issued a Drought Warning for our Maryland Eastern Shore counties. 

U.S. Drought Monitor

D4 (Exceptional Drought): No Exceptional Drought exists across the Hydrologic Service Area (HSA).
D3 (Extreme Drought): No Extreme Drought exists across the HSA.
D2 (Severe Drought): Severe Drought exists across portions of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Moderate Drought exists across much of our HSA.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Abnormally Dry conditions exist across the southern Poconos.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change…
 
Drought Worsened: Degradation was observed across southern New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula.   
 
No Change: More areas remained the same versus showing degradation or improvement. 

Drought Improved: No improvement was observed across the four states we serve.

Precipitation

The majority of the HSA has seen below normal precipitation the last 30 days.  

Temperature

When averaged (ending 4/29), much of the forecast area experienced below normal temperatures the last 7 days.

Over the last 30 days, much of the forecast area experienced above normal temperatures.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 

  ● Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 4/4, were mainly below normal.

Agricultural Impacts

  ● Between April 26 and May 2, crop moisture was normal to slightly above normal across the HSA.
 
Other Impacts

  ● Per state DEPs, reservoir pools across the HSA were mainly below normal to normal.
  ● Per the Delaware River Basin Commission, and as of April 6th, the salt front in the Delaware River Estuary was estimated at river mile marker 60.5. The normal location for this time of year is river mile marker 67. This indicates the salt line is further downstream compared to normal.

Mitigation Actions

  ● Per the state of New Jersey, a Drought Warning has been issued for the entire state.
  ● Per the state of Maryland, a Drought Warning has been issued for our Maryland Eastern Shore counties.
  ● Per the state of Delaware, there are no state declarations in place.
  ● Per the state of Pennsylvania, either a Drought Watch or Drought Warning have been issued for our Southeast Pennsylvania Counties.  

Keep in mind, the National Weather Service does not declare Drought Watches or Warnings.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 4/4, were mainly below normal.

Agricultural Impacts

Between April 26 and May 2, crop moisture was normal to slightly above normal across the HSA.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

A couple of systems will move through the region during the midweek period and bring some rain. High pressure returns for the end of the week. Another system may impact the region this weekend.

The 8 to 14 day outlook calls for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation.

Long-Range Outlooks

The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage

Long-Range signals suggest May’s average monthly precipitation will be about normal.

Long-Range signals suggest May’s average monthly temperatures have a greater chance of either being below normal or normal versus above normal.