Drought in Pennsylvania, June 10 to 30, 1999

Unseasonably dry weather continued throughout the month of June across Eastern Pennsylvania. The ongoing dry weather forced the Department of Environmental Protection to declare a drought warning in 47 counties in the commonwealth including all of Eastern Pennsylvania. The drought began during the second half of 1998. To fully recover above normal precipitation was needed during the winter and spring. While January had above normal precipitation, the subsequent months did not. Both May and June were unseasonably dry. Consequently groundwater levels and streamflows at all monitoring stations were below normal and at some at record lows for the time of year. In Chester County, groundwater levels averaged four feet below normal. Ninety percent of the Delaware River Basin groundwater wells were below normal. The drought warning called for a ten percent voluntary reduction in water consumption. The next day, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission declared a drought warning for the entire 27,510 square mile Susquehanna River Basin. Groundwater levels were at dangerously low levels in several counties in the lower part of the basin.On a county weighted average June monthly precipitation averaged between 0.7 inches in Montgomery County to 1.9 inches in Carbon County or between 18 and 42 percent of normal. The 0.98 inches of precipitation at the Lehigh Valley International Airport was the fourth driest on record. By the end of the month 85 percent of all soil moisture content was rated as either very short or short. Crops were curling due to the extremely hot weather and the lack of moisture. In western and northern Berks County conditions were described as critically dry. Farmers fear that entire crops may be lost if the region does not get significant rain in the next few weeks. The hot weather in June also cut down on milk production as cows were not comfortable. The second cutting of hay was slow due to the dry weather. Some farmers started to supplement feed due to poor pasture conditions.