The Dual Nature of April
The two halves of April were like night and day, generally with cool, wet conditions kicking off the month but warm, dry conditions wrapping up the month. Ultimately, the warmth won out for April temperatures, with the month ranking among the 20 warmest Aprils for 24 of the region's 35 major sites. However, monthly precipitation and snowfall totals varied.
Read more in the NRCC BlogNortheast Drought Status
Drought Improvement Continues
A large portion of the Northeast picked up over an inch of precipitation this week, improving drought and abnormally dry conditions for multiple areas. For instance, severe drought was removed from New York and New Jersey, while moderate drought eased entirely in New Hampshire and abnormal dryness was erased from Vermont. However, drought remained entrenched in places like eastern West Virgina and central Maryland. It is important to note that significant precipitation deficits extend back multiple months at some locations in the Northeast, which can be seen in the NRCC’s monthly maps and on the Northeast DEWS Dashboard (click on Pennsylvania in the top left map to see the full Northeast region).
- Severe (D2) drought improved, with New Jersey becoming free of severe drought for the first time since October 2024.
- Moderate (D1) drought contracted, with New Hampshire becoming drought-free for the first time since September 2024.
- Abnormal dryness (D0) eased in multiple areas, with Vermont becoming free of drought and abnormal dryness for the first time since September 2024.
- Record-low seven-day streamflow was present in the region’s southeastern corner.
- Record low groundwater levels were found in places like southern New Jersey.
- The outlooks for May 20 to 28 call for below-normal temperatures and near- or above-normal precipitation, conditions that could facilitate further improvements.
Website Highlights
Weather Station Data
Weather Station Data includes location-specific information, such as wind data, evapotranspiration, and daily almanacs.
CLIMOD 2 is a user-friendly website to find single-station and multi-station climate products for locations accross the country. For example, the Seasonal Ranking report produces a graph and table of extremes or other summaries for a specified period for each year.
Go to CLIMOD 2State & Regional Analyses
These provide several map types, regional climate summaries, snow survey data, and drought information.
The Monthly Maps offer a variety of monthly precipitation and temperature departure maps for any given month for the Northeast region or a selected state.
Go to Monthly Map pageAnalyses for Industry
Analyses for Industry shows products the NRCC has created through partnerships with various industries.
The Apple Frost Risk page has maps and animations for Red Delicious, Empire, and McIntosh apples. The maps show accumulated chill, growing degree days, phenological stages, and kill probability.
Go to Apple Frost RiskWebinars & Workshops
Webinars & Workshops provides recordings and presentations from the monthly webinar series, as well as information on past and upcoming workshops.
The Northeast Regional Climate Center hosts a monthly webinar series with NOAA affiliates to address timely weather topics.
Go to Monthly WebinarsPublications & Services
Publications & Services includes the NRCC blog, quarterly outlooks, as well as other reports and publications.
The Quarterly Outlooks are seasonal climate highlights and outlook for the upcoming season for the Eastern, Region, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Maine. Published in March, June, September and December.
Go to Quarterly Reports