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Waiting for the Rain

precip table

This October 1-21 period was record dry for six of the Northeast’s 35 major climate sites.

The first three weeks of October have been record dry for several locations across the Northeast including Central Park and Kennedy Airport, NY; Newark and Atlantic City, NJ; and Philadelphia and Allentown, PA. Four of those sites have yet to see measurable precipitation (0.01 inches or greater) so far this month. Philadelphia was the only site to see no precipitation at all, a first for the October 1-21 period at the site which has records back to 1872. In fact, the dryness at Philadelphia, Kennedy Airport, and Newark stretches to late September, making it one of the 10 longest streaks without measurable precipitation for the sites.

The number of days with measurable precipitation for the October 1-21 period was also at a record low for several sites including the six record-dry sites mentioned above, as well as Bridgeport, CT, and Wilmington, DE. All of these sites saw either no days or one day with measurable precipitation during the first three weeks of October. In fact, for Central Park and Newark, it was the first time on record either site had no days with measurable precipitation for the period, with records back to 1869 and 1931, respectively.

precip table

Eight major climate sites set/tied records for fewest number of days with measurable precipitation during the October 1-21 period.

pdpt map

October 1-21 precipitation was less than 25% of normal for areas shaded burgundy, including parts of West Virginia and much of the Interstate 95 corridor.

The broader Northeast region has been quite dry for the month-to-date period, with parts of West Virginia and an area stretching from Maryland to Massachusetts seeing less than 25% of normal precipitation. September was also notably dry for many locations, including Wilmington and Islip which were record dry. For the September 1 through October 21 period, some sites like Wilmington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Central Park are missing between 4 and 7 inches of precipitation.

pdpt graph

Precipitation deficits for the September 1-October 21 period range from 4 to 7 inches at several major climate sites. Click to enlarge.

Exceptional and extreme drought persist in the region’s southwestern corner including West Virginia, while severe and moderate drought, as well as abnormal dryness, have expanded in areas closer to the coast such as New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula. An updated U.S. Drought Monitor will be released on Thursday, October 24.

Outlooks from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center show increased odds of drier-than-normal conditions for the rest of October for the entire Northeast. This pattern would favor persistence, or possibly expansion, of drought conditions.

outlook maps

The Northeast is expected to be drier than normal for the rest of October. Click to enlarge.