Much of the Northeast had below-normal or near-normal rainfall in July. The driest areas, including southeastern Massachusetts and central New Jersey, received less than one-quarter the norm. Newark, New Jersey, had its driest July on record: only 0.55 inches of rain, 12 percent of normal. Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Drought in the Northeast Likely to Linger or Spread in August After a Dry, Warm July

4 min readAug 2, 2022

Drought was expected to linger or spread in much of the Northeast this month following a generally dry, warm July.

Warmer than normal weather looks likely in August and it may also be drier than normal, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Heat is building this week, with very hot and humid weather expected on Thursday and Friday, when temperatures could set daily records in some areas, according to government reports.

“The heat and humidity will peak on Thursday and Friday with near record high temperatures and oppressive heat indices as well,” according to a forecast discussion by the National Weather Service office that covers southern New England.

A heat advisory is in effect for southern New England, except the Cape and Islands, on Thursday and Friday afternoons.

“Anomalous heat is forecast to reach the northern Mid-Atlantic into New England by Thursday with record high temperatures possible as afternoon readings reach into the 95–100 degree range behind a warm front,” a forecast discussion by the Weather Prediction Center at the National Weather Service says.

Some of the drier areas in the Northeast won’t get “significant relief in the next few days,” according to the Northeast River Forecast Center.

But heavy rain is likely across portions of New England on Friday, another Weather Prediction Center forecast discussion says.

Drought Expanded, Eased in New England and the Northeast

Last month, “below-normal precipitation allowed drought and abnormal dryness to expand and intensify across the Northeast,” according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center. “The dry conditions led to water restrictions, stressed crops, and increased fire risk.”

Dry June in Much of New England and the Spread of Moderate Drought

Some climate highlights for July, courtesy of the Northeast Regional Climate Center:

— Boston had its fourth driest and third warmest July on record. The month was also the third warmest all-time.

— Providence, Rhode Island, had its fourth warmest July on record and fourth all-time hottest month. It was also the 13th all-time driest month on record.

— Portland, in Maine, had its fifth warmest and 13th driest July on record. It was also the fifth all-time warmest month.

“Searing Heat” in the Northeast: 102 Degrees in Newark, 100 in Boston, 98 in Providence

“At the beginning of July 2022, NOAA’s monthly climate outlook favored temperatures well above average across much of the United States. The outlook proved prescient,” according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.

More images, including two of my recent photos at Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire and one from December 2021: