OT: Regional Drought Thread

[RU848789]

First time I ever started a drought thread, lol. Some posts in other threads on this, but figured starting one might be interesting/useful for some (or not). Anyway, our dry weather in the Philly-NJ-NYC region continues with moderate to severe drought in much of the area (NWS graphic below) and it's going to get at least a bit worse with no measurable rain in sight for at least the next 10 days. Note that the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting "average" precip for our region in November and for the next 3 months, so hopefully the drought conditions will begin to ease.

Many locations in the region are nearing all-time records for consecutive days without measurable rain, including Philadelphia, which has gone 25 days without rain and will break its record of 29 consecutive days without rain if no measurable rain falls through October 28th (NWS graphic below).

While it's nice to have "nice" days (and tailgates/games), droughts can have significant impacts, as they obviously impact water availability, usage, and local flora/fauna, and greatly increase the risk of wildfires, especially on days of very low humidity with high winds. Speaking of which, we have a couple of those days coming up with red flag warnings up for much of NJ tomorrow. The NWS-Philly website and Facebook/Twitter pages are good places to keep tabs on such things.

https://www.weather.gov/phi/
https://www.facebook.com/NWSMountHolly

 

[RutHut]

 

[ashokan]

This is the longest stretch of beautiful weather I can remember.
Day after day of cloudless and bright blue skies.
The temps are prefect - there is no dry and burnt grass on the fields
I always heard San Diego weather was best in US
I cant imagine it better than what I've had
I cycle for an hour and dont even need a drink but I still tan.

The summer sucked with 90+ weather and the usual July lighting cruising in cells looking for victims

 

[Knight Shift]

On a serious note, the Manasquan River Reservoir that supplies Monmouth/Ocean is critically low.

Planted grass seed several weeks ago. Have sprinklers running, but the dry weather is inhibiting germination of new seed.

 

[Knight Shift]

This is the longest stretch of beautiful weather I can remember.
Day after day of cloudless and bright blue skies.
The temps are prefect - there is no dry and burnt grass on the fields
I always heard San Diego weather was best in US
I cant imagine it better than what I've had
I cycle for an hour and dont even need a drink but I still tan.

The summer sucked with 90+ weather and the usual July lighting cruising in cells looking for victims

Yeah, it has been a great what used to be called "Indian summer."

 

[T2Kplus20]

This is the longest stretch of beautiful weather I can remember.
Day after day of cloudless and bright blue skies.
The temps are prefect - there is no dry and burnt grass on the fields
I always heard San Diego weather was best in US
I cant imagine it better than what I've had
I cycle for an hour and dont even need a drink but I still tan.

The summer sucked with 90+ weather and the usual July lighting cruising in cells looking for victims

+1
Absolutely beautiful fall weather.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Native American Summer!

 

[rurichdog]

It was spritzing a little on my way to work this morning. 130 corridor Mercer to Middlesex. Still, probably not even a trace amount. I think we're up to 26 days straight with no measurable rain in Trenton. At this point I can't even be mad if it rains on Halloween.

 

[miket007]

Weather has been nice but the lack of rain is very telling with all the folks having allergy issues. I wanted to aerate/overseed after the horrible summer we had down here in Delaware but with this drought and no sprinkler system it wasn't even worth it...

 

[WhiteBus]

We got some drizzle this morning! That's some progress! 20 mins after blue skies!
Riding my bike 🚲 to Atlantic City and I know when I get there it will be pouring on the Boardwalk. The bartenders will be pouring some beers for me at the Biergarten.

 

[DJ Spanky]

This is a really dry subject to discuss.

Planted grass seed several weeks ago. Have sprinklers running, but the dry weather is inhibiting germination of new seed.

Same problem.

 

[gef21]

I want rain so badly. The fall vegetable and fruit gardens have been hurting and the rain barrels are empty.

 

[fg7321]

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On a serious note, the Manasquan River Reservoir that supplies Monmouth/Ocean is critically low.

Planted grass seed several weeks ago. Have sprinklers running, but the dry weather is inhibiting germination of new seed.

Same thing grass wont germinate

 

[Knight Shift]

 

[DHajekRC84]

It was spritzing a little on my way to work this morning. 130 corridor Mercer to Middlesex. Still, probably not even a trace amount. I think we're up to 26 days straight with no measurable rain in Trenton. At this point I can't even be mad if it rains on Halloween.

Just north of you in Ringoes and frankly I can't even remember when it rained last. I mean maybe one small time since the middle of August. Our township reporter showed nearly zero for the whole month of September and we've had another zilch so far October. That's an easy 60 days. How we're not in that Severe zone baffles me. It has pretty much destroyed the end of season harvest for the farmers up here.

 

[mildone]

This is a really dry subject to discuss.

That's what she said.

 

[Kbee3]

Just read something about how bad the drought is in South America. What we're experiencing is nothing compared to that. The leader of one country...I think it was Columbia...has even suggested that people start taking showers together to help conserve water.

 

[RUHotTrumpetMonkeyLove]

Just read something about how bad the drought is in South America. What we're experiencing is nothing compared to that. The leader of one country...I think it was Columbia...has even suggested that people start taking showers together to help conserve water.

In future news, Colombia is experiencing a population boom.

 

[ashokan]

Yeah, it has been a great what used to be called "Indian summer."

I read an "Indian Summer" is mild weather AFTER the first frost.
We've been chilly at night but I don't recall frost.
My flowers and plants are still good

 

[bac2therac]

Yeah, it has been a great what used to be called "Indian summer."

Indigenous People Summer

Its been incredible. Only climate alarmists would complain. The drought..this too shall pass

 

[bac2therac]

I read an "Indian Summer" is mild weather AFTER the first frost.
We've been chilly at night but I don't recall frost.
Mt flowers and plants are still good

I had a few

 

[mildone]

The leader of one country...I think it was Columbia...has even suggested that people start taking showers together to help conserve water.

I mean, when is that ever a bad idea, really? When I become president, people frequently showering together will be one of my reforms. Along with two hookers in every garage.

 

[LETSGORU91]

Indigenous People Summer

Its been incredible. Only climate alarmists would complain. The drought..this too shall pass

Beat me to it...by 22 minutes.

 

[WhiteBus]

I mean, when is that ever a bad idea, really? When I become president, people frequently showering together will be one of my reforms. Along with two hookers in every garage.

Are you taking sheep into the shower?

 

[mildone]

Are you taking sheep into the shower?

Naturally. How else could I keep them clean. Cleanliness is next to godliness, when it comes to sheep.

 

[Kbee3]

Naturally. How else could I keep them clean. Cleanliness is next to godliness, when it comes to sheep.

Car wash ?

 

[mildone]

Car wash ?

LOL. That might work. But a good shower is kinda very much like a car wash.

 

[RU848789]

First time I ever started a drought thread, lol. Some posts in other threads on this, but figured starting one might be interesting/useful for some (or not). Anyway, our dry weather in the Philly-NJ-NYC region continues with moderate to severe drought in much of the area (NWS graphic below) and it's going to get at least a bit worse with no measurable rain in sight for at least the next 10 days. Note that the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting "average" precip for our region in November and for the next 3 months, so hopefully the drought conditions will begin to ease.

Many locations in the region are nearing all-time records for consecutive days without measurable rain, including Philadelphia, which has gone 25 days without rain and will break its record of 29 consecutive days without rain if no measurable rain falls through October 28th (NWS graphic below).

While it's nice to have "nice" days (and tailgates/games), droughts can have significant impacts, as they obviously impact water availability, usage, and local flora/fauna, and greatly increase the risk of wildfires, especially on days of very low humidity with high winds. Speaking of which, we have a couple of those days coming up with red flag warnings up for much of NJ tomorrow. The NWS-Philly website and Facebook/Twitter pages are good places to keep tabs on such things.

https://www.weather.gov/phi/
https://www.facebook.com/NWSMountHolly

It's officially the longest dry stretch in Philly history...

 

[Joey Bags]

Just north of you in Ringoes and frankly I can't even remember when it rained last. I mean maybe one small time since the middle of August. Our township reporter showed nearly zero for the whole month of September and we've had another zilch so far October. That's an easy 60 days. How we're not in that Severe zone baffles me. It has pretty much destroyed the end of season harvest for the farmers up here.

Also in Ringoes and have a personal weather station, here's some stats for you.

Total Rainfall August 10-October 29: 1.62"
Total September Rainfall: 1.10"
Total YTD October Rainfall: 0.00"
Last day of recorded rainfall of at least a Trace: September 30th (0.01")

Crazy thing is lawns are still green and growing around here without any watering.

 

[m1ipabrams]

It's officially the longest dry stretch in Philly history...

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Chester County, PA just declared a open fires ban for the next 30 days. Timing sucks as lots of folks out here set up portable fire pits in their front yard for Halloween and drink beer while giving out candy. Basically the only thing that makes Halloween bearable for me......

 

[RUSK97]

Chester County, PA just declared a open fires ban for the next 30 days. Timing sucks as lots of folks out here set up portable fire pits in their front yard for Halloween and drink beer while giving out candy. Basically the only thing that makes Halloween bearable for me......

It’s gonna be so warm for Halloween, there’d be no need for fires even if there is no ban. Just drink a few extra beers and all will be fine.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Have a friend who regularly walks dogs at Manasquan Reservoir.. she has been alarmed for some time now but the latest photos were quite alarming.

I think NJ should get together with PA and NY and damn teh Delaware.. there are just too many lives at risk to put the scenic Delaware Water gap over a new large reservoir that can provide some more cushion.

Then again, I think we should be able to pipe water from flood zones to drought zones at the flip of a switch.. pair such a giant construction project with others like other pipelines and high speed rail and new electric delivery networks. Stop spending on wars all over the world and build some stuff that will last a lifetime.

 

[fsg2]

Chester County, PA just declared a open fires ban for the next 30 days. Timing sucks as lots of folks out here set up portable fire pits in their front yard for Halloween and drink beer while giving out candy. Basically the only thing that makes Halloween bearable for me......

Time for a backup gas fire pit. I've got an Ignik I use in ban season.

 

[mildone]

Time for a backup gas fire pit. I've got an Ignik I use in ban season.

Is not the same without the smell of burning hardwood.

 

[fsg2]

Is not the same without the smell of burning hardwood.

I agree, but a nice middle ground between sitting around the lantern and risking a raging wildfire in your front yard.

I've come to anticipate fire bans as standard all summer long so carry that ammo can-size Ignik everywhere and use at home. Also nice to just dial on for sitting out for a cup of coffee or something for which I would never build a wood fire.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Also in Ringoes and have a personal weather station, here's some stats for you.

Total Rainfall August 10-October 29: 1.62"
Total September Rainfall: 1.10"
Total YTD October Rainfall: 0.00"
Last day of recorded rainfall of at least a Trace: September 30th (0.01")

Crazy thing is lawns are still green and growing around here without any watering.

Thanks! I'm a couple miles south of the village in Rocktown where the water table is (usually) quite high and yes lawn ALWAYS stays green. My back yard is SHOT. Its cement patches in areas. My neighbor has an old well and you can normally look in and see the water. They isn't any right now. That's the scary part.

 

[m1ipabrams]

It’s gonna be so warm for Halloween, there’d be no need for fires even if there is no ban. Just drink a few extra beers and all will be fine.

Yeah, definitely won't need to to stay warm, but nothing beats the look and smell of a nice hardwood fire.

 

[mildone]

I agree, but a nice middle ground between sitting around the lantern and risking a raging wildfire in your front yard.

I've come to anticipate fire bans as standard all summer long so carry that ammo can-size Ignik everywhere and use at home. Also nice to just dial on for sitting out for a cup of coffee or something for which I would never build a wood fire.

 

[Joey Bags]

Thanks! I'm a couple miles south of the village in Rocktown where the water table is (usually) quite high and yes lawn ALWAYS stays green. My back yard is SHOT. Its cement patches in areas. My neighbor has an old well and you can normally look in and see the water. They isn't any right now. That's the scary part.

One of the first things i noticed after moving here was the oddly high water table and lack of a need to water grass during dry spells. And we’re on top a very small hill as well, but no sump pump needed since water drains away from house very well.

We’re on well water, I haven’t heard of wells drying up in NJ in prior drought so not something I’ve thought much about but if this continues for another month or two I’m not sure what the impact would be.

 

[RUSK97]

Yeah, definitely won't need to to stay warm, but nothing beats the look and smell of a nice hardwood fire.

Can’t argue with that. I’m swinging my axe getting my piles ready for winter 2026.