Raindrops of relief began to fall Sunday night in parched sections of the United States, notably the Northeast, and mid-Atlantic, which have been beset by intense fire weather and poor air quality.
This rain shower will not eliminate the drought, but it is a start. The first rainfall in weeks will assist firemen across the region combat harsh conditions caused by dry leaves and winds.
“We are going to break those dry spells, but it will take its own time,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar stated. It has been 22 years since New Jersey has faced significant drought conditions, which are still prevalent in the state’s southeastern region.
Drought, falling leaves, and strong winds have produced a dangerous fire situation. Fires in New Jersey and New York have resulted in unhealthy air alerts throughout the tri-state area.
Some cities, like Philadelphia, have seen record-breaking dry spells. It has been 42 days since the city of Brotherly Love saw measurable rain, beating the previous 29-day record set in 1874.
Through Tuesday, the majority of the region will receive approximately a half-inch of rain, with higher totals in western Pennsylvania.
“Drought is a much longer-term event than most of the hazardous weather we discuss, so one rain event, in general, isn’t enough to make a significant dent in drought conditions,” the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, stated. “Please continue to heed any burn bans or water conservation efforts your localities may have!”
The moisture moved into the mid-Atlantic by Sunday evening and the Northeast later that night.
On Sunday evening, light showers fell in New York City, and the city is expected to receive a quarter to a half inch of rain. Rainfall in the Washington, D.C. area interrupted a record 38-day dry spell at Washington, Baltimore, and Dulles airports.
“It’s exactly the kind of rain we need to kick off our drought-busting efforts,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Ari Sarsalari said.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, areas of heavy rain and light rain may remain overnight for the morning commute in locations like Boston and New York.
Reference; Welcome rain moves into Northeast, mid-Atlantic after record-dry stretch