Welcome rain moves into Northeast, mid-Atlantic after record-dry stretch
For the first time since late September, decent rain began to fall overnight Sunday. The FOX Forecast Center said a shield of light to moderate rain has worked from the West and will wind down early Monday.
Welcome rain moves into Northeast, mid-Atlantic after record-dry stretch
Fire danger and air quality concerns are coming to an end in the Northeast.
NEW YORK – Fire danger and air quality concerns are coming to an end in the Northeast.
For the first time since late September, decent rain began to fall overnight Sunday. The FOX Forecast Center said a shield of light to moderate rain has worked in from the West and will wind down early Monday.
Rain amounts up to .5 inches will be plenty to wet the plants and soil and temporarily end the wildfire threat, but it will not be enough to end the drought.
The region has been locked in a dry pattern that has lasted two-plus months. During this dry pattern, multiple cities, including Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware, and Trenton, New Jersey, have set their all-time records for the longest stretch of days without measurable rain. Those records date back to the Civil War.
The dry streak surpassed 40 days in Philadelphia and Trenton.
It's been 22 years since New Jersey has experienced extreme drought conditions, which is ongoing in southeastern parts of the state.
Drought, falling leaves and gusty winds have created dangerous fire conditions. Fires in New Jersey and New York have triggered unhealthy air alerts across the tri-state region.
The dry conditions have been record-breaking for some cities, including Philadelphia. It's been 42 days since the city of Brotherly Love saw measurable rain, breaking the previous 29-day record set in 1874.
Through Tuesday, most of the region will see about 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 talk about, so one rain event, generally, isn't enough to make any significant dent in drought conditions," the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said. "Please continue to heed any burn bans or water conservation efforts your localities may have!"
According to the FOX Forecast Center, pockets of downpours and lighter rain may linger overnight for the morning commute in cities such as Boston and New York.