"Waterways and wells are running dry in parts of New England and trees in New York City are already shedding their leaves as a late-summer drought engulfs the U.S. Northeast, raising the risk of wildfires. More than 80% of the region is now abnormally dry or in drought, according to a U.S. monitoring service, compared to just 11% this time last September."
"The drought is linked to sparse summer rains, which have been running below normal for weeks. Storms are often hit-or-miss across the Northeast in the summer months, said Jennifer Francis, a senior scientist with the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts. Thunderstorms can cause severe downpours and localized flooding in some areas, while the next neighborhood over remains mostly dry."
Late-summer drought conditions have developed across the U.S. Northeast, with more than 80% of the region currently abnormally dry or in drought, up from 11% last September. Waterways and wells are running dry and some communities have gone weeks without significant rain. Early leaf drop and abundant dried vegetation are increasing available fuel and elevating wildfire risk, particularly in densely populated areas. New York state officials have urged voluntary water conservation as streamflow and groundwater decline. Sparse, uneven summer thunderstorms, unusually warm temperatures, and limited moisture from offshore tropical storms have contributed to the dry conditions.
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