Drought Information Statement for the Philadelphia/Mt. Holly Hydrologic Service Area
Valid January 2, 2024
Issued By: NWS Philadelphia/Mount Holly
Contact Information: wfophi.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated February 2, 2024 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. 

U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and extent per the U.S. Drought Monitor…

D4 Exceptional Drought: No Exceptional Drought exists across the Mt. Holly Hydrologic Service Area (HSA).
D3 Extreme Drought: No Extreme Drought exists across the Mt. Holly HSA.
D2 Severe Drought: No Severe Drought exists across the Mt. Holly HSA.
D1 Moderate Drought: No Moderate Drought exists across the Mt. Holly HSA.
D0 Abnormally Dry: There are no Abnormally Dry designations across the Mt. Holly HSA.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change…
 
Drought Worsened: No degradation was observed. 
 
No Change: Just about all the HSA remained unclassified from last week. As a result, there was very 
little change to measure this week. Outside of a one-category improvement over extreme southwest 
Chester County, no changes were observed.

Drought Improved: Over a very small area in southwest Chester County.

Precipitation

Just about our entire HSA has seen a rainfall surplus over the last 30 days. 

Temperature

Over the last month, temperature departures across the HSA were between 0.0 and +7.0 degrees.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 

Seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 1/2, were normal to much above normal.

Agricultural Impacts

Soil moisture was running above normal to much above normal.

Other Impacts

Per the PA DEP (Department of Environmental Protection), groundwater recharge has been very slow 
across the southeastern portion of the state and is the impetus for their Drought Watch.
Per state DEPs, most reservoir pools across the HSA were normal.
Per the Delaware River Basin Commission, and as of January 2nd, the salt front in the Delaware River
Estuary was estimated at river mile marker 54. The normal location for this time of year is river 
mile marker 69. This means the salt line was further downstream compared to normal.

Drought Mitigation Actions

Per the state of Pennsylvania, a Drought Watch or Warning remains in effect for counties across 
the central and southeastern portion of the state.

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

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

With the recent rain, the seven-day average streamflow conditions, ending 12/2, were normal to
much above normal.

Agricultural Impacts

Soil moisture was running normal to much above normal across most of the HSA.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

High pressure will remain in control through today. A weak system will pass offshore Thursday
with high pressure returning for the end of the week. A more organized system will  traverse the
eastern US this weekend, bringing rain and snow. High pressure will move in for the end of the 
weekend and start of next week. Another strong system will move into the region for the middle 
of next week.

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