Pittsburgh, PA – September 2025 nearly went down as the second-driest September on record for Pittsburgh, with rainfall totals saved only by a brief four-day stretch late in the month, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The NWS Pittsburgh office reported Thursday that 87% of the month’s precipitation at Pittsburgh International Airport occurred between September 22–26. Without that rainfall, the city would have recorded its second-driest September ever. The month still tied for the 12th-fewest days with measurable rain on record.
According to NWS data, drought conditions across Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania remain widespread and nearly identical in coverage compared to last year. Roughly 72% of the region is experiencing drought in 2025, compared with 74% in 2024. However, forecasters noted a key difference: there is less severe (D3/D4) drought this year, though more areas remain in moderate to severe (D1/D2) drought.
In southwestern Pennsylvania, conditions in parts of Washington and Greene counties remain severe, while Marshall County in West Virginia and sections of eastern Ohio show improvement compared to 2024. Meanwhile, areas of northwestern Pennsylvania are facing worsening drought this year.
Forecasters say drought monitoring will remain critical heading into October, as rainfall deficits continue to impact agriculture, water supplies, and fall fire risk.
