In The "Bullseye" of a Drought

Written by: Jonathan Myers

In much of Western New York, we are experiencing a rather isolated, but severe, drought (as denoted by the orange on the Drought Monitor map). With less than 1/2 of our average rain here in Rochester during the summer months, we are running a full 7.32 inches below normal on our yearly rainfall. Farther Southeast, with a wetter beginning to the summer, but drier weather since July, conditions are a little more moist, but there is still a moderate drought (shown in peach on the Drought Monitor map). With decent August and early September rains, portions of the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes are just abnormally dry (depicted as yellow on the Drought Monitor map) or close to average on yearly rainfall (pictured in white on the Drought Monitor map).

Especially in the severe drought areas, it might be a good idea to begin conserving water by limiting car washing, as well as by watering lawns and gardens either during the early morning or evening.