Central Pennsylvania has dangerous air, now in moderate drought. What's next, locusts?

Teresa Boeckel, York Daily Record
·3 min read

Nearly all of York County now is experiencing a moderate drought, as little rain has fallen in recent weeks, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In fact, all regions of the state have been impacted by the dry weather. The U.S. Drought Monitor, which was updated on Thursday, does not show any areas that are under normal conditions.

Much of south-central Pennsylvania, including Lebanon County, falls into the moderate drought category.

This comes after much of the region recorded the driest month of May on record. Only 0.19 inches of rain fell in Harrisburg. The old record was 0.29 inches set in 1902, according to the National Weather Service in State College.

The ground cracks around corn plants that are below knee high in Manchester Township on June 6, 2023.
The ground cracks around corn plants that are below knee high in Manchester Township on June 6, 2023.

Meanwhile, residents are coping with the smoky conditions and dangerous pollution levels caused by wildfires in Canada. It is some of the worst air quality conditions south central Pennsylvania has seen in decades, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

What happens in moderate drought?

Brown spots are popping up in lawns, and gardens need watering to survive.

In moderate drought conditions, officials request voluntary water conservation, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Lake Redman, on June 7, 2023, was already dawn down several feet for the Lake Williams dam replacement before the drought. While Lake Williams has also been drained for the project, York Water Company says that they they have ample water supply on hand from rain in April.
Lake Redman, on June 7, 2023, was already dawn down several feet for the Lake Williams dam replacement before the drought. While Lake Williams has also been drained for the project, York Water Company says that they they have ample water supply on hand from rain in April.

People will see lower levels in lakes and reservoirs. Farmers need to use more irrigation for their crops.

Landscaping is stressed, and ground and wildfires increase, it states.

York and Lebanon counties have fire bans in effect because of the dry conditions.

Will the York Water Company have enough water?

The York Water Company has been closely monitoring the dry conditions, said Mark Snyder, vice president of engineering.

The water company recorded 0.33 inches of rain last month, which was the lowest total it has ever measured in the month of May, he said. The previous record was 0.64 inches in 1964.

The Lake Williams dam project as it looked on June 7, 2023.
The Lake Williams dam project as it looked on June 7, 2023.

The Lake Williams reservoir has been empty because of the ongoing work to the dam, and nearby Lake Redman has been lowered by a few feet to protect the construction site in case of heavy rains.

"At the present time, the water level in Lake Redman is holding steady, even with the reduced stream flow into the reservoir," Snyder wrote in an email.

"If the current weather pattern continues, we presently have over 1,200 million gallons of water stored in Lake Redman, and have the capability to pump up to 12 million gallons per day from the Susquehanna (River) into Lake Redman, if needed," he said.

Is any rain on the way?

On Friday afternoon, there's a 50 percent chance of a popup thunderstorm, but it will not be a drought buster, National Weather Service meteorologist John Bowen said.

More precipitation is expected on Monday afternoon when a cold front moves through, he said.

It's not clear yet how much will fall, but it could put a little bit of rain in the ground to help the situation, Bowen said.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Central PA has dangerous air, now in a moderate drought. What's next?