Drought in Pennsylvania, August 1 to 31, 1999

The dry conditions that actually began in July 1998 continued through August. The month of August started with eight Western Pennsylvania counties already under a state-declared Drought Emergency, four counties under a Drought Warning, and three counties under a Drought Watch. On August 2, the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared four counties (Beaver, Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties) agricultural disaster areas. Average basin rainfall across Western Pennsylvania for the month of August averaged anywhere between 0.50 and 2.50 inches below normal. Most reservoirs were running between 5 and 10 feet below their normal summer pool, but a few were as much as 25 to 30 feet below normal. The Palmer Drought Index showed the area to be borderline between a moderate and severe drought. In general, the area has experienced a 15% to 25% precipitation deficit over the past year, with a 60-day deficit (from 1 June through 31 July) of around 50%. Reports from farmers across Western Pennsylvania indicate crop losses ranging anywhere between 25% to 100% depending on the crop and location. Area dairy farmers estimated a 15% reduction in milk production due to a combination of heat and drought.