LOCK HAVEN — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared Clinton County and surrounding areas under a fire weather watch Friday afternoon, due to a combination of unusually prolonged dry conditions mixed with high winds to create ideal conditions for the spread of forest fires.

The US Drought Monitor – which is managed out of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in collaboration with NOAA, USDA, the US Department of Commerce and the National Drought Mitigation Center – shows much of Lycoming County currently in intensity. D0”, for abnormal reasons. dry conditions, with much of the eastern part of the county showing “D1”, which corresponds to moderate drought.

Clinton County currently shows only a tiny section of D0 in the easternmost corner, where Clinton, Lycoming, Union and Center counties meet.

With dry conditions, low humidity and strong winds, the risk of wildfires is high.

According to information provided by the Clinton County Department of Emergency Services, here is how you can keep your community safe:

— Avoid burning outdoors or using equipment that could start a fire.

— Secure trailers and chains to avoid sparks on the roads.

— Dispose of cigarettes responsibly.

— Stay informed of any updates and be ready to act if necessary.

“Let’s work together to reduce fire risks and protect Clinton County.” Stay safe, everyone,” the ministry said in its statement.

The Lock Haven Fire Department also issued its own special weather statement: “Please avoid outdoor fires and other ignition hazards such as improper disposal of smoking materials. Low humidity and high winds over central Pennsylvania make the region prone to the risk of rapid spread of fires.

Rainfall is likely over the coming days, with several rounds of showers possible as successive fronts pass through the region over the next week. However, these fronts move very quickly and are considered moisture-deficient, according to NWS forecasts, and are unlikely to do much to relieve the drought.

Central Pennsylvania — alongside areas in 26 states, according to an AP article published in The Express on Oct. 30 — experienced a notable and unusually dry period.

NWS Climatology noted that “October 2024 will end as one of the driest on record across much of central Pennsylvania, particularly in the southeastern part of the Keystone State.”

For Harrisburg, the 2024 monthly total of 0.47″ tied 2000 for the 5th driest on record, surpassed in October 1892, 1930, 1963 and 1924 respectively for fourth to first.

This dry period was accompanied by unusual heat, causing several days to reach or challenge record temperatures for the date. That includes Halloween, which saw new records at weather stations in Williamsport, Harrisburg, Bradford and Altoona. Some of these records stood for more than 70 years.

It may take until the new year for this weather pattern to completely dissipate, with seasonal precipitation forecast maps, via NWS, predicting a 33-50% increase in precipitation chances in our region between approximately February and October 2025 .

Until then, however, warm and generally dry conditions are expected to persist for at least a few weeks, based on the long-term forecast. Caution is therefore advised in the near future, even if the possible showers that we receive will be useful, at least temporarily.

As of Friday afternoon, NOAA’s special weather statement was expected to remain in effect until 6 p.m. It was unclear whether the watch would be extended at press time, with forecast discussions noting that Saturday was expected to see calmer winds and higher relative humidity.