In what many Pennsylvania residents would think is one of the most obvious of recent issues affecting the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has lifted drought declarations on 40 counties. The drought declarations were made at the beginning of August; however, recent rainfall, including a few downpours from Tropical Storm Irene, has brought soil moisture conditions back to normal.
Leading up to the August drought declarations for over 40 counties in the Keystone State, the summer weather was taking a toll on many regions. The heat and dry weather that affected the lawns of residents, also took a toll upon streams, reservoirs, and creeks. However, 2011 is shaping up to be a strange weather year across the state.
Philadelphia has received about 42 inches of rain this year, which is about equal to the average annual rainfall. August set rainfall records in cities across Pennsylvania. That rainfall comes in handy because reservoirs that are normally low are now full. In lifting the drought watches and warnings, the EPA allows residents and businesses to proceed with life as normal. The most severe stage is a drought emergency, which calls for a ban on non-essential use and requires contingency plans to be put into motion.
When drought warnings and watches are declared, residents of the affected areas are asked to voluntarily conserve a certain percentage of water. The methods suggested include: running appliances when they are full, taking shorter showers, and keeping water in the refrigerator. Of course, a few counties in Northern Pennsylvania did not receive a large amount of residual rainfall and remain on the drought list, but even those conditions could change relatively quickly.
The strange weather year that has been 2011 featuring on and off periods of heavy rain is shaping to be interesting. With a few months left in Hurricane Season, many areas around the state could be heading for record annual rainfalls despite being included in drought declarations for about a month. So much rain fell throughout the state in August; any rolling calculations that take the month into consideration will be greatly skewed. Still, the majority of the state can worry less about their water supplies and water usage.
Jason Gallagher is a long-time Pennsylvania resident. He has experiences in trends and developments in many regions from having lived in many parts of the Keystone State, and currently resides in the Pittsburgh Area.
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