21 September 2025
In early August I began to note drooping vegetation and drought-like circumstances in my Pittsburgh neighborhood however U.S. Drought Monitor and the rainfall meter at Pittsburgh Worldwide Airport stated every little thing was superb. Right here in Pittsburgh’s East Finish we have been in a localized drought. The rain clouds stored parting earlier than they received right here.
Since then it hasn’t rained anyplace within the space aside from a bit on 4 September. The bottom is brown, leaves are falling early, and it’s nonetheless sunny and scorching. Yesterday was 85°.
By mid September we must always have had 30 inches of precipitation in Pittsburgh. As a substitute we’ve had solely 25.83 and your entire deficit has occurred since mid July.
U.S. Drought Monitor‘s nationwide drought evaluation map now reveals components of our space in Excessive Drought (pink). Our space is circled in pink on the disjoint map beneath.
Will it finish quickly? The Climate Service predicts at 50% likelihood of rain on Monday evening for a doable complete of 0.39 inches and showers on Thursday which may drop greater than 0.85 inches. However in my expertise a 50% likelihood of rain throughout a drought is simply wishful pondering.
We’ll see.
p.s. Why the disjoint map? The tri-state space of Ohio, western PA and West Virginia is break up into two areas by U.S. Drought Monitor alongside the Ohio River and on the PA-OH line.
