Recent precipitation has helped to improve drought conditions across the area. However, the region is still dry, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Earlier this week, DEP’s Drought Task Force changed the status of Schuylkill, Carbon and Northampton counties from a drought warning to a less severe drought watch. Monroe County remains in a drought watch.

“These changes reflect improving conditions across Pennsylvania,” according to the task force. “While conditions are improving there is still significant recovery needed in many areas of the commonwealth, which is why watch and warning declarations continue in many counties.”

Much of the state saw improvement in recent weeks, with 20 of its 67 counties back to “normal” conditions; 39 under drought watches; and eight under drought warnings.

No counties are in drought emergencies.

According to DEP, while some of the region has improved, Lehigh County is still under a drought warning.

To determine drought declarations, DEP considers looks at stream flow, groundwater levels, precipitation and soil moisture.

— Jill Whalen