October 2024 was record to near-record dry for a large portion of the Eastern US, including several major cities. This has led to an expansion in the drought and wildfire concerns.
U.S. Drought Monitor
Issued Nov. 5, 2024
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST SATURDAY FOR
NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY...
* AFFECTED AREA...Western Passaic, Eastern Passaic, Hudson,
Western Bergen, Eastern Bergen, Western Essex, Eastern Essex,
Western Union and Eastern Union.
* TIMING...Until 6 PM EST Saturday.
* WINDS...Northwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent during the daylight
hours.
* TEMPERATURES...Lower 40s tonight, Mid 50s on Saturday.
* LIGHTNING...None.
* IMPACTS...Any fire that develops will catch and spread
quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are expected or occurring. A combination of strong winds, low
relative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly
elevated fire growth potential.
Drier-than-normal conditions could persist through November for an area from southern Maryland up to coastal Maine.
A mid-November weather pattern could bring more moisture into the region, potentially overriding the dryness. However, in the longer term, with a weaker La Niña pattern expected to develop, below-normal precipitation through winter across much of the southern and Eastern U.S. may continue.
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