Drought Information Statement for the Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Hydrologic Service Area 
Valid October 15, 2025
Issued By: NWS Philadelphia/Mt. Holly
Contact Information: wfophi.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated November 14, 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 entire state.
There are no state declarations in place for Delaware.
The state of Pennsylvania has issue a Drought Watch for Carbon County.
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): Severe Drought exists across portions of northern New Jersey and the southern Poconos.
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 four states we serve.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change…
 
Drought Worsened: Degradation was observed across all of the four states we serve.  
 
No Change: There were some areas that remained the same. 

Drought Improved: Only small improvements were observed across the central coast of New Jersey.

Precipitation

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

Temperature

When averaged (ending 10/10), much of the forecast area experienced above normal temperatures the last 7 days.

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

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 

  ● Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 10/14, were variable with a mix of normal, below normal, and above normal flows. 

Agricultural Impacts

  ● Soil moisture was running below normal across much of the forecast area.
 
Other Impacts
 
  ● Per state DEPs, reservoir pools across the HSA were below normal to normal.
  ● Per the Delaware River Basin Commission, and as of October 14th, the salt front in the Delaware River Estuary was estimated at river mile 88. The normal location for this time of year is river mile marker 72. 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 entire 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, a Drought Watch has been issued for Carbon County.  

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

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 10/14, were variable with a mix of normal, below normal, and above normal flows.

Agricultural Impacts

Soil moisture was running below normal across much of the forecast area.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

A cold front will move through the area today with strong high pressure building in to close out the week. A low pressure system will cross the region from the west Sunday into Monday.

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