An extreme dry spell continues for portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the Northeast. Extremely dry conditions are creating wildfire concerns, with large fires burning in New Jersey and Connecticut today.
According to the Mount Holly, New Jersey office of the National Weather Service, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey are now experiencing a top 25 longest consecutive streak of dry days on record, with zero measurable rain in the last 20 days. With no rain in the forecast, it’s likely these climate reporting stations will move into the top 5-10 spots for longest duration of a dry spell.
Dry conditions and scattered wild fires will create smoke conditions which can reduce visibility. #NJwx https://t.co/AR5xDRNhVF
— the Weatherboy (@theWeatherboy) October 22, 2024
In Philadelphia, the all-time record for dry spell occurred in 1874. From October 11 through November 8, no rain fell in the City of Brotherly Love over that 29 day period. Weather records go back to 1871 for Philadelphia.
In Trenton, the longest dry spell hit in 1903. That 38 day long event stretched from April 16 through to May 23. Weather records for Trenton go back to 1865.
For both of these cities, long range computer guidance, such as the European ECWMF computer forecast models, predicts rain will remain out of Philadelphia and Trenton until Halloween on October 31. Dry conditions will also persist across portions of Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Massachussetts.
According to Drought Monitor, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware are in a Moderate Drought or worse.
It’s been extremely dry in portions of the northeast in recent weeks. Unfortunately, more fire troubles are possible in the days ahead too! https://t.co/K5r8nYBhUD
— the Weatherboy (@theWeatherboy) October 22, 2024