A Cold, Dry Start to Fe-brrr-uary
A large portion of the Northeast saw less than 25% of normal precipitation during the first half of February. In fact, it ranked among the 10 driest February 1-15 periods on record for 22 of the region's 35 major sites. The period was also over 6°F below normal for much of the region, ranking among the 20 coldest starts to February for 20 major sites. Most areas wrapped up the first two weeks of the month with a snowfall deficit.
Read more in the NRCC BlogNortheast News
Drought Intensifies This Week
The U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday, February 19 showed drought and/or abnormally dry conditions > deteriorate in several parts of the Northeast. Most of the Northeast saw less than 50% of normal precipitation during the first half of February, with many areas seeing less than 0.50 inches of precipitation over the past seven days.
- Extreme drought was introduced in northwestern New Jersey.
- Severe drought spread in central Massachusetts, southeastern New York, western New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania.
- Moderate drought expanded in southeastern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, western New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, northern Delaware, and northern Maryland.
- Abnormal dryness increased in Massachusetts, northeastern Connecticut, and southwestern Pennsylvania.
- Seven-day streamflow was normal or lower across the Northeast.
- Reservoir and/or lake levels remained below normal in places like New Jersey.
- Groundwater levels were normal or lower for much of the region, with record low levels present in every Northeast state.
- The short-term outlooks for February 24-March 4 predict above-normal precipitation and near- or above-normal temperatures for the Northeast, which could keep conditions from deteriorating or possibly provide some relief.
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 Roadway Freezing/Thawing page has cumulative freezing and thawing index maps for Maine, New Hampshire, and the Northeast region. The Minnesoata Department of Transportation has recommended guidelines for applying and removing winter weight premiums and spring load restrictions based upon these indices.
Go to Road Freeze/Thaw PageWebinars & 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