Special Weather Statement
Hydrological Outlook
Northeast New Jersey
825 PM EDT Mon. August 9, 2010

The month of June ranked as the 3rd warmest such month on record (1977) and the warmest since 1991. July so is 5.6 degrees above normal and is so far the 2nd warmest such month on record since 1977). July 2010 tied with 1993 and 1999 as the warmest such month on record. The average temperature so far this summer is 78.2 degrees and is 1.9 degrees above normal. The summer so far is the hottest on record. So far, we had 21 days with maximums of 90degrees or higher. Normal is 20 for the summer season. No rain fell for nearly the first half of July. By the 14th-15th a total of 3.10 inches of rain was recorded which is .76 of an inch above normal. Rainfall in August has been sparse to none with only .02 recorded. Rainfall for the season totals 6.08 and is .2.37 inches below normal. So far this summer there has been 14 days with measurable rainfall.

The New Jersey EPA has placed the northeast counties of New Jersey under a Drought Watch. The DEP has observed serious drops in some reservoir levels, especially the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission’s Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs, and United Water Company’s Oradell reservoir. A drought watch is a response to deteriorating water supply conditions, with a goal of raising public awareness and formally alerting all water suppliers in the region of the situation, to help preserve existing supplies and balance reservoir storage in the region.

The long range forecast calls for above normal temperatures and near normal rainfall through August 26th.

Special Weather Statement
Hydrological Outlook
Northeast New Jersey
100 PM EDT Mon. July 5, 2010

The region is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions according to the National Drought Monitor. Rainfall has been below normal since April. Rainfall since April 1st only totaled 9.59 inches which is only 76 percent of normal. Rainfall since June 1st totaled only 2.48 inches which is only 58 percent of normal.

The dry conditions are compounded by high temperatures. Sun beating on the dry surface acerbates the temperatures where all the sun’s energy is used for heating the air.

So far, Combined Northeast Reservoirs graph represents the total of 13 separate reservoirs with a combined capacity of 76.2 billion gallons (BG). United Water of New Jersey has four reservoirs with a total capacity of 13.9 BG.

The outlook for the next 10 to 15 days calls for a continuation of below normal precipitation and near to above normal temperatures.

Jim G. Munley, jr

http://www.jimmunleywx.com