Drought-Ridden Northeast Will Receive Welcomed Rain Into Monday

Tom Moore
Published: September 18,2016
Rain is in the forecast for the drought-ridden Northeast into Monday, and this is actually good news.
It hasn't just been a hot summer across the region – it has also been dry. In fact, some sections of the Northeast are experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions.
(MORE: La Niña is likely to Be a No-Show This Fall and Winter)

Rain Timing and Impacts

Into Monday, a slow-moving cold front will interact with moisture coming up from the southwest to dramatically increase the chances for rain across the Northeast.

Current Radar, Watches and Warnings

Rain chances will extend into Monday from New England to the mid-Atlantic Coast. There is a chance that this system could pull up moisture from Julia on Monday and that could enhance rainfall totals a bit.

Northeast Rainfall Forecast Through Monday

Although there could be some embedded thunderstorms during this event, the overall severe storm threat is low, and flooding is unlikely due to relatively light rainfall amounts and current drought conditions across the region.
That said, some localized flooding cannot be ruled out in spots where pockets of heavy rain persist for a period of time.

Drought Relief?

Much of the Northeast is experiencing drought conditions, and some areas are in a severe to extreme drought.
(U.S. Drought Monitor (Northeast))

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the Northeast is experiencing drought conditions. In fact, over 37 percent of the region is reporting at least a moderate drought.
Nearly 40 million people are currently in the overall drought area.
(MORE: Late Summer Heat Will Continue Next Week Across The East)
Parts of New England, western New York and northern Pennsylvania are also in severe to extreme drought.
Although the upcoming rain will be welcomed, rainfall totals will not be high enough to put anything more than a small dent in the drought. Most locations should see barely an inch of rain (with locally heavier amounts), if that.
MORE: Northeast Rainbows