The break from persistent heat waves has been a welcome change but New Jersey could use some rain. Drought conditions are worsening in certain areas of the state, with parts of seven counties now in a “severe drought,” according to a new federal map released Thursday. Sections of Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon, Morris, Hudson and Essex counties, as well as all of Union County, now fall under the “severe” index.
Several other counties are facing moderate drought. The designation differs slightly from that of New Jersey’s Department of Environment Protection, which still has the state under a drought “watch,” a determination that’s heavily based on water supply levels. The good news, State Climatologist Dave Robinson says, is we just need one good soaker to get us back into a normal pattern.
