LOCK HAVEN — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared Clinton County and surrounding areas to be under a Fire Weather Watch Friday afternoon, as a combination of unusually prolonged dry conditions mixed with high winds to create ideal conditions for wildfire spread.

The US Drought Monitor — which is operated out of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in concert with NOAA, USDA, US Dept. of Commerce and the National Drought Mitigation Center — is showing much of Lycoming County currently in “D0” intensity, for abnormally dry conditions, with much of the county’s eastern prong showing “D1,” which is a moderate drought.

Clinton County is currently only showing a tiny section of D0 in the furthest eastern corner, where Clinton, Lycoming, Union and Centre counties join together.

With dry conditions, low humidity and high winds there is an elevated risk for wildfires.

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

— Avoid outdoor burning or using equipment that could spark a fire.

— Secure trailers and chains to prevent sparks on roadways.

— Dispose of cigarettes responsibly.

— Stay informed on any updates and be prepared to act if needed.

“Let’s work together to reduce fire risk and protect Clinton County. Stay safe, everyone,” the department said in its release.

Lock Haven Fire Department also issued its own special weather statement: “Please avoid having outdoor fires and other ignition hazards such as impropriety discarding of smoking materials. Low humidity and high winds over central Pennsylvania are making the area prime for the potential of rapidly spreading fires.”

Some precipitation is likely in the coming days, with several rounds of showers possible as successive fronts will push through the area over the next week. However, these fronts are very quick-moving and are considered moisture starved, per the NWS forecast discussion, and are unlikely to contribute much drought relief.

Central Pennsylvania — alongside areas in 26 states, according to an AP story published in The Express on Oct. 30 — has been experiencing a notable, unusually dry stretch.

NWS climatology has noted that “October 2024 will end as one of the driest on record for much of central Pa., particularly across the southeastern part of the Keystone State.”

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

This dry stretch has been accompanied by unusual warmth, which has resulted in several days recently reaching or challenging record high temperatures for the date. This includes Halloween, which saw new record highs at the climate stations in Williamsport, Harrisburg, Bradford and Altoona. Some of those records had stood for over 70 years.

It may take until the new year for this weather pattern to fully break, with seasonal precipitation outlook maps, via NWS, forecasting between a 33-50 percent increased chance of precipitation in our area from roughly February through October 2025.

Until then, though, warm, generally dry conditions are expected to continue for at least a few weeks, looking at long-range forecasts. As such, caution is advised for the foreseeable future, although any rounds of showers we will receive will help at least temporarily.

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