Drought Information Statement for the Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Hydrologic Service Area 
Valid September 29, 2025
Issued By: NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly
Contact Information: wfophi.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated October 31, 2025 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. 

The state of New Jersey has issued a Drought Watch for the southeast portion of the state.
There are no state declarations in place for Delaware.
There are no state declarations in place for Southeast Pennsylvania.
There are no state declarations in place 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): No Severe Drought exists across the HSA.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Moderate Drought exists across portions of central and northern NJ, as well as the southern Poconos.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Abnormally Dry conditions exist across portions of the NJ, PA, and MD counties we serve.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change…
 
Drought Worsened: Degradation was observed across portions of northern NJ, the southern Poconos, and the Lehigh Valley.  
 
No Change: There were some areas that remained the same. 

Drought Improved: Improvements were observed across portions of southern New Jersey and across the Delmarva.

Precipitation

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

Temperature

When averaged (ending 9/26), much of the forecast area experienced above normal temperatures the last 7 days.

Over the last 30 days, our southern and eastern  counties experienced below normal temperatures and our northern and western counties experienced normal to above normal temperatures.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
 
  ● Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 9/28, were variable with a mix of normal to below normal flows. 

Agricultural Impacts

  ● Soil moisture was running normal across roughly the southern half of HSA. Soil moisture was running below normal across the northern half.
 
Other Impacts

  ● Per state DEPs, reservoir pools across the HSA were below normal to normal.
  ● Per the Delaware River Basin Commission, and as of September 22nd, the salt front in the Delaware River Estuary was estimated at river mile 84.2. The normal location for this time of year is river mile marker 76. This indicates the salt line is further upstream compared to normal.

Mitigation Actions

  ● Per the state of New Jersey, a Drought Watch has been issued for the SE portion of the state.
  ● Per the state of Maryland, there are no state declarations in place for our Maryland Eastern Shore counties.
  ● Per the state of Delaware, there are no state declarations in place.
  ● Per the state of Pennsylvania, there are no state declarations in place for our SE 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 9/28, were variable with a mix of normal to below normal flows.

Agricultural Impacts

Soil moisture was running normal across roughly the southern half of HSA. Soil moisture was running below normal across the northern half.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

High pressure will be control through Tuesday. A weak cold front will move through the region on Tuesday night before an expansive area of high pressure moves in for the end of the week and the upcoming weekend. 

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