Northeast News

Drought Intensifies in Parts of the Mid-Atlantic
The U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday, January 8 showed drought and/or abnormally dry conditions persist or deteriorate in much of the Northeast this week. Factors such as limited precipitation, reduced streamflow, and record- to near-record low groundwater levels were the primary drivers. However, a few spots saw locally heavy precipitation and/or recovering water levels, allowing for minor improvements.

• Severe drought spread in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
• Moderate drought expanded in an area from the Delmarva Peninsula through New Jersey into southeastern New York.
• Abnormal dryness increased in coverage in southeastern Massachusetts and New Jersey.
• Seven-day streamflow was record-low in the region’s southeastern corner including parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
• Reservoir levels in places like New Jersey remained below normal.
• Groundwater levels continued to be record low in multiple locations across the Northeast.
• The short-term outlooks for January 13 to 17 favor above-normal temperatures with near- to above-normal precipitation for the Northeast.

For the latest information, visit the Northeast DEWS Dashboard (to see the full Northeast, click on the grayed-out Pennsylvania in the map in the top left) and the Northeast Drought Update. Submit drought impact reports via the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) page.

Website Highlights