View Full Version : Dry conditions in Pennsylvania
Click on DCNR news release (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/newsreleases/2009/0409-wildfiredanger.htm) for more information.
State law prohibits open fires on state forests March 1 through May 25. State forests along the Pennsylvania A.T. include Michaux and Weiser on which Eagle's Nest Shelter is situated. Small, self-contained stoves such as most A.T. hikers use are permitted.
DCNR may determine fire danger to be high, very high or extreme at any time in which case it's illegal to kindle a fire on state forests and game lands.
County-wide burn bans (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/ffp/burnbans.aspx) occur when half of a county's municipalities declare bans within their jurisdictions.
Toolshed
04-27-2009, 19:44
96 degrees at 5:39 this evening.....in Lehigh Valley
Wow, snowed last night here and 32 degrees here. 4:50pm. I am ready for some warm weather. Global warming? Maybe regional global warming. Not here ice age.
Blissful
04-27-2009, 20:11
Dry as a bone here too with winds. Fire danger for sure.
temps heading back down. scattered storms expected the next 2 days. should help this situation
We already had a couple big brush fires in the area that were burning for a day or two, dont know if it was human started or the fact that no tree cover and highs near 90's.
We know people cause 98 percent of Pennsylvania’s wildfires and a mere spark can start a devastating and, possibly, deadly forest blaze. Forests are a renewable resource, but they quickly can be endangered by acts of carelessness.
Nearly 10,000 acres of forestland in the state are burned by wildfires each year and nearly 85 percent of all fires in Pennsylvania woodlands occur during the months of March, April and May. They are especially troublesome in the spring when wind, dry weather, direct sunlight through bare trees, and abundant dead undergrowth all can lead to rapid fire spread.
scattered storms expected the next 2 days. should help this situation
That's what I was hoping yesterday. It's looking like we're less likely to get that rain now at least here. Save the campfire for a cold and/or rainy day.
Wondering if it's like last summer when the rain evaporated just about each time forecasted - except when I wanted to do some blaze painting. ;)
I thought I heard that for Harrisburg it was the second driest January-March period on record. When I was out on my maintenance section 1.5 weeks ago I saw about half the water seeps I usually do in mid-April. Could be pretty dry for the thrus this year.
yup that rain totally missed us today :(
perhaps the storm just got backed up. we're now forcast for rain thur,fri, and sat
funny about the blaze painting kioeh. kinda like doing a modern-day rain dance. i'll make sure i wash my car before leaving for my section hike
I thought I heard that for Harrisburg it was the second driest January-March period on record. When I was out on my maintenance section 1.5 weeks ago I saw about half the water seeps I usually do in mid-April. Could be pretty dry for the thrus this year.
Conditions have improved and more rain may be on the way. Even so, caution with fire is advisable and drinking water from natural sources may not be as readily available as in wetter years.
Now may be a good time to repost my water links since some of this season's northbounders who started in Georgia have already passed through Pennsylvania's Green Diamond.
To get some idea whether AT hikers can depend upon natural water sources in Berks County, I refer to MARFC's 30-day (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Maps/PANY_counties_30_color.htm) and 7-day (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Maps/PANY_counties_7_color.htm) maps, NWS data (http://www.weather.gov/data/obhistory/KRDG.html) collected at Reading Regional Airport/Carl A. Spaatz Field in Bern Township and NWS's 7-day forecast for Port Clinton (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Port+Clinton&state=PA&site=PHI&textField1=40.5822&textField2=-76.0247&e=0).
When used with Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania, these links provide a good indication what can be expected. Normal conditions are specified in KTA's guide and known to more-experienced local hikers.
Visit the links to see how much precipitation compared to the norm has been recorded for the last 30 days, the last 7 days, within the last 24 hours and what's forecast. If MARFC's maps are showing red, there's been no rain in the last 24 hours and none is forecast, be prepared for dry conditions. Please be advised, even when conditions are normal (green) during the summer, ridgetop springs may be unreliable.
BMECC's shelter caretakers at PA 501 and Eckville, Ye Olde Backpacker at Port Clinton, hikers travelling in the opposite direction and shelter registers may be helpful in confirming current status of natural water sources or alternates especially for summer hikers. See also Water Conditions on the trail in Pa. (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38394) (2008) for additional information.
we've been getting a good bit of rain the past 3 days and it looks like a rainy week ahead. good for us
yup. we've had a buttload of rain and looks like we're going to get it a few more days yet. get those springs flowin baby!
What a difference a week of rain can make!
Our Trailmaster was out on my section to the seep areas. There were two when I was there, normally six, and he said he found 12.