Pennsylvania Declares Statewide Drought Watch, Urges Water Conservation.

A moderate drought is building across the Mid-Atlantic region, with Pennsylvania issuing a state-wide drought watch due to low precipitation levels. Maryland has 88% of its land in the dry to very dry rating, while Pennsylvania has 100% of its topsoil as dry to very dry. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources urges Pennsylvanians to be aware of increased fire risk, with 1,400 wildfires reported statewide so far in 2023. Rainfall is expected to improve over the next week or two, but it will not be a drought buster.