Pennsylvania
Western Pennsylvania and surrounding regions see little improvement in drought conditions
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – This past week’s drought monitor continues to show much of Western PA and Northern West Virginia in moderate to severe drought conditions.
In Pennsylvania, 98.71% of the state is in at least abnormally dry conditions. Roughly 44% of the state is in moderate drought or worse, which is the greatest area coverage since late June 2023.
There have only been four other times since 2000 when greater than 98% of the state was abnormally dry or worse: May 2001, July 2002, September 2002, May 2006, and June 2023.
In West Virginia, conditions are much worse statistically speaking with nearly 100% of the state in moderate or worse drought. This year also marked the first time West Virginia has seen exceptional drought conditions—the highest categorization of drought–since the drought monitor emerged in 2000.
During the summer, when this drought emerged, it was categorized as “short-term”, meaning that impacts were primarily limited to grasslands and agriculture. Now, we are categorized with both “short-term” and “long-term” drought which means impacts are extending beyond dried-out plants and soils—we are seeing increasing impacts to hydrology along with ecology.
Recently, water levels in Yough Lake in Somerset County have dropped so low that remains of the town of Somerfield and a bridge that used to run through it have been exposed.
Yough Lake is the only water source that is running well below normal in our region due to the ongoing drought. The entire Youghiogheny River basin from Sutersville, PA, to Friendsville, MD is running much below normal in terms of streamflow with some stream gauge sensors reporting flow in the lowest 10th percentile.
This means that there is only a small percentage of available records lower than what is being observed now. Other creeks and rivers that have reported severely low streamflow in the last two weeks include Loyalhanna Creek from the Loyalhanna Dam to Kingston, PA; the Beaver River from Wampum to Beaver Falls, PA; the Shenango River from Sharpsburg to Transfer, PA; and French Creek from Meadville to Utica, PA. Even the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers have reported below-normal streamflow on average over the last few weeks.
This is a regional-wide drought as much of the East Coast is experiencing its driest fall to date. Philadelphia recorded no measurable rain during the entire month of October making it the driest ever recorded. New York City also recorded its driest October on record which has led to the explosion of severe drought and some wildfires in that area.
The rain that fell on Sunday, November 10, provided some soil moisture but did not help hydrological issues much. Most of Western PA and Northern WV received between 0.5″ to 1″ of rain according to Doppler Radar estimates.
This is a far cry from what is needed to end the drought. Gridded rainfall analysis maps show large swaths south of Pittsburgh receiving only HALF of their normal rainfall since the middle of May and in need of 5-8+” of rain to make up the deficit.
Officially in Pittsburgh, our deficit has increased more so during the fall after some localized rainfall events kept us above average during the summer. Pittsburgh Airport is in need of 3.66″ of rain to make up the fall 2024 deficit.
Looking ahead, there are signs the long-range weather pattern will become more active during the third week of November. This may finally bring a more consistent buy of precipitation to our drought-stricken region.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10, 2026
The 2026 Pennsylvania high school girls basketball state playoffs begin on Tuesday, March 10, with second-round games for all divisions.
High School On SI has brackets for every division in the PIAA high school girls basketball playoffs. The state championships begin on March 19th.
Pennsylvania High School Girls Basketball 2026 Playoff Brackets, Schedule (PIAA) – March 10-11, 2026
CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
New Covenant Christian vs. Delaware County Christian – 03/11
Philadelphia Montgomery Christian Academy vs. Benton – 03/11
Our Lady of Lourdes Regional vs. Motivation – 03/11
Linville Hill vs. Southern Fulton – 03/11
Williamsburg vs. Elk County Catholic – 03/11
Farrell vs. Bishop Carroll – 03/11
Clarion-Limestone vs. Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy – 03/11
Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Aquinas Academy – 03/11
CLASS 2A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Shalom Christian Academy vs. Southern Columbia Area – 03/10
Faith Christian vs. Mountain View – 03/10
Wyoming Seminary College Prep vs. Marian Catholic – 03/10
York Catholic vs. Berlin Brothersvalley – 03/10
Neshannock vs. Penns Manor – 03/10
Kennedy Catholic vs. Keystone – 03/10
Bishop McCort vs. Chartiers-Houston – 03/10
Winchester Thurston vs. Wilmington Area – 03/10
CLASS 3A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Imhotep Charter vs. Holy Redeemer – 03/10
Pequea Valley vs. Schuylkill Haven – 03/10
Hughesville vs. Notre Dame-Green Pond – 03/10
Dunmore vs. Executive Education Academy – 03/10
Trinity vs. Troy – 03/10
Northwestern vs. Greensburg Central Catholic – 03/10
Shady Side Academy vs. Beaver Falls – 03/10
Central Cambria vs. Karns City – 03/10
CLASS 4A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Susquehanna Township vs. Universal Audenried Charter School – 03/11
Scranton Prep vs. Allentown Central Catholic – 03/11
Central Columbia vs. Villa Joseph Marie – 03/11
Valley View vs. Neumann-Goretti – 03/11
Delone Catholic vs. Penn Cambria – 03/11
Slippery Rock vs. Oakland Catholic – 03/11
Belle Vernon vs. Blackhawk – 03/11
North Catholic vs. Harbor Creek – 03/11
CLASS 5A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Lampeter-Strasburg vs. Mt. St. Joseph Academy – 03/11
Marple Newtown vs. Crestwood – 03/11
Bethlehem Catholic vs. Villa Maria Academy – 03/11
North Pocono vs. Archbishop Wood – 03/11
York Suburban vs. TBD – 03/11
Peters Township vs. Manheim Central – 03/11
South Fayette vs. Penn-Trafford – 03/11
Baldwin vs. Indiana – 03/11
CLASS 6A BRACKET (select to view bracket)
Second Round
Upper Dublin vs. Perkiomen Valley – 03/10
Hazleton vs. Parkland – 03/10
Easton vs. Red Lion – 03/10
Downingtown West vs. Archbishop Carroll – 03/10
Wilson vs. Cardinal O’Hara – 03/10
Pennsbury vs. Altoona – 03/10
Dallastown vs. Emmaus – 03/10
Canon-McMillan vs. Taylor Allderdice – 03/10
Get even closer to the action by creating a free account. Follow your favorite teams and get score updates, breaking news and alerts when new photo galleries are available.
More Basketball Coverage from High School On SI
West Caln Twp., Pa. (WPVI) — A Pennsylvania State Police Corporal was shot and killed in the line of duty in Chester County Sunday night.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was joined by law enforcement officials outside of Paoli Hospital in paying tribute to Cpl. Timothy O’Connor.
Lt. Colonel George Bivens says O’Connor responded to a call to investigate an erratic driver just after 8 p.m. in Honey Brook.
O’Connor stopped that vehicle the intersection of Compass Road and Michael Road in West Caln Township.
Bivens says O’Connor made a radio call indicating the stop, but did not respond to calls to check on him.
Officers in the area immediately responded and found the situation investigators are calling murder-suicide.
Bivens says within seconds of approaching the stopped vehicle, the driver opened fire, killing O’Connor at the scene.
Investigators say the driver then got out of the vehicle and fatally shot himself.
Authorities tell Action News that officers responded to the scene when the trooper called for backup after shots were fired.
Bivens say O’Connor is a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police.
He leaves behind a wife and young daughter.
Governor Shapiro has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of O’Connor.
Chester County District Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe says the county is assisting with the investigation.
Officials are not releasing the name of the suspect at this time, but say he is a 32-year-old man from Chester County.
They will now be investigating his background and motives, according to de Barrena-Sarobe.
Compass Road is closed between Hill and Lammey Roads as police continue with their investigation.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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