-Autumn tiger- hits, New York hits driest record since 19th century, no rain for 3 weeks

Recently, New York City has been experiencing a surge of unseasonably warm weather, with temperatures nearing 80°F on October 21. For the past three weeks, the city has seen almost no rainfall, leading to what could become the driest autumn since the 19th century. Meteorologists are growing increasingly concerned about the potential impact on the city’s water supply. If these dry conditions continue, officials may issue a call for residents to voluntarily conserve water, similar to measures already taken in New Jersey.

Statistics show that Central Park typically averages about 4.4 inches of rainfall in October, but so far this month, precipitation levels have been negligible. As of Monday, the U.S. Drought Monitor marked New York City as experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions.

According to Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, while some dry spells in the fall are expected, the current level of drought is unusually severe. “Typically, a week or two of dry weather isn’t alarming, but this prolonged dryness is unprecedented,” he noted.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has already issued a statewide drought warning, urging residents to voluntarily reduce their water usage in response to the escalating drought situation. Experts suggest that New York City may soon follow suit, encouraging its citizens to be proactive in conserving water to alleviate pressure on municipal supply.

Dominic Ramunni, another meteorologist from the National Weather Service, emphasized that although there are no mandatory water restrictions in place yet, residents should take proactive measures, such as shortening shower times and cutting back on unnecessary water usage.

Forecasts indicate that the drought conditions in New York City are unlikely to improve in the coming days, with no significant rainfall expected over the next week. Ramunni stated that the relatively wet climate experienced this past summer has provided a temporary buffer, but future precipitation will be crucial.

Moreover, the ongoing dry weather not only affects daily water use but also heightens the risk of wildfires. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for several northeastern states, urging residents, particularly in Connecticut and New Jersey, to exercise caution when dealing with any fire sources.