PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Despite rainfall in areas across south central Pa. on Friday, experts say the recent wet weather will not be enough to alleviate the ongoing dry conditions that have caused burn bans and water shortages across the area.
The rainy weather comes a day after the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) declared a statewide drought watch.
"The current drought conditions are unlike anything we’ve seen for many decades in this region," said Michael Meyer, an earth system science assistant professor at Harrisburg University.
Experts say the recent rain has had little impact and will still take several weeks of wet weather to alleviate the dry conditions.
"It’s been so dry for so long, even with some of the rain we had, we need a consistent series of rainstorms to really refuel our groundwater," said Meyer. "We’re going to need at least two decent soaks a week, for the next few weeks."
The DEP’s drought watch declaration comes amid ongoing burn bans, firework bans and water shortages across the area, which experts say are still necessary, despite the rain.
"People don’t want to get lulled into a false sense of security of, 'Oh well it rained yesterday, everything is good,'" said Meyer. "That water is [taken up] by the plants and by the soil but everything is still going to be dry."
Amid the drought conditions, experts remind Pennsylvanians to be mindful of the fire and water shortage hazards the drought conditions pose.
"Be aware of [your] surroundings, making sure [you] are not going to do any activity that is going to cause a spark or fire or a flame to exist and work on water-saving habits."
As part of their statewide drought watch declaration, the DEP recommends voluntary water conversation for Pennsylvanians. A list of ways to save water has been listed on their website.