NEW YORK – Dry regions of the United States, including the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, plagued by extreme fire weather and poor air quality, are expected to begin receiving relief raindrops Sunday night.
This rain event does not end the drought, but it is the beginning.
The first rain in weeks will help improve conditions for firefighters across the region as they battle extreme conditions caused by dead leaves and wind.
“We're going to put an end to these dry streaks, but it's just going to take time,” FOX Weather Service meteorologist Jane Minnaar said.
It's been 22 years since New Jersey experienced extreme drought, and the southeastern part of the state is still experiencing drought.
Drought, falling leaves and strong winds are creating dangerous fire conditions.
Fires in New Jersey and New York have triggered an air alert for all three states..
Some cities, such as Philadelphia, are experiencing record dry conditions. It has now been 42 days since any measurable rain has fallen in the City of Brotherly Love, breaking the 29-day record set in 1874.
About half an inch of rain is expected to fall across most of the region through Tuesday, with heavier amounts expected in western Pennsylvania.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, says, “Droughts are much longer-term phenomena than most of the hazardous weather events we talk about, so a single rainfall is generally not enough to cause a drought. “It's not enough to have a significant impact on the situation.” , said. “Please continue to be aware of burn bans and water conservation efforts in your area.”
This moisture will move into the mid-Atlantic by Sunday evening and into the Northeast by late Sunday night.
“This is exactly the kind of rain we are looking for to begin the process of overcoming the drought,” said FOX Weather meteorologist Ali Sarsarali.
Cities like Boston and New York could experience localized heavy rain or light rain during the morning commute that could continue into the evening, according to the FOX Prediction Center.
