Historically dry conditions, made worse by conditions fostered by climate change, has exacerbated the severe wildfire risk. Patch StaffMONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Most of Montgomery County is now under severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as the region experiences what is likely to be the driest October in recorded history.Parts of of southeastern Pennsylvania are currently experiencing a moderate drought, and most of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties are in a severe droug...
Historically dry conditions, made worse by conditions fostered by climate change, has exacerbated the severe wildfire risk.
Patch Staff
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Most of Montgomery County is now under severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as the region experiences what is likely to be the driest October in recorded history.
Parts of of southeastern Pennsylvania are currently experiencing a moderate drought, and most of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties are in a severe drought.
On the Monitor's scale, a "severe" drought is the third most serious out of five classifications. Exceptional drought is the most dire, followed by extreme, and then severe, moderate, and an "abnormally dry" status.
A countywide burn ban has been issued in both Delaware and Chester counties for the next month as historic drought conditions persist and the risk of severe wildfires increases. Some municipalities in Montgomery County, including Lower Providence, have also issued burn bans.
Climate change creates conditions that exacerbate both severe weather and drought: when things are dry as they are now, lingering heat and increased evaporation rates are likely to make them even drier. And when storms hit, they draw even more moisture from a warmer ocean, making them even more severe.
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The region has received less than half of the precipitation it typically does in October, according to the National Weather Service.
Significant wood and brush fires have already plagued much of the region, and parts of New Jersey have seen devastating wildfires in recent weeks.
The National Weather Service's records for lowest precipitation totals in October are included below:
Droughts are caused by more than just a lack of total amassed rainfall, however. Stream and river flow, groundwater level, and soil moisture all play a role, and each requires regular precipitation to maintain a delicate balance to provide both a healthy and functioning ecosystem and sustainable drinking water levels.
For droughts specifically, water evaporates more quickly when it's warmer. Hotter soils are drier. Drought conditions mean less greenery is growing, which means that plants are absorbing less CO2, creating a feedback loop that further contributes to warming.
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