Delaware Sets New Drought Record with Ongoing Dry Spell

Yesterday, Wilmington New Castle County Airport officially set a new record, marking 32 consecutive days without measurable precipitation. This new milestone surpasses the previous record of 31 dry days set in 1988, highlighting the exceptional nature of Delaware’s current drought. Notably, Georgetown is also enduring an extended dry streak, now at 33 days. Just one day shy of its own record of 34 consecutive dry days set in 2001, Georgetown might tie or break this benchmark tomorrow, depending on whether the forecasted slight chance of rain materializes.

If dry conditions persist in Wilmington and Georgetown today as expected, both areas could experience their first month on record without any measurable precipitation. For Wilmington, with a climate record dating back to 1948, this is particularly unprecedented and emphasizes the severity of the current drought. This historic dryness isn’t just a matter of broken records but signals a widespread impact on the state’s environment and resources.

According to this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor update, an astounding 98% of Delaware now falls under a severe drought designation (D2). This is the highest proportion of the state to experience such drought severity since 2002. With fall typically bringing relief as temperatures drop and plants require less water, there’s hope for some reprieve. However, experts warn that any significant recovery will be slow and depend on gradual moisture restoration over the winter. Unfortunately, the two-week forecast offers little hope for rain, suggesting the situation may worsen before any improvement.

Residents are urged to conserve water as Delaware faces this critical period. Small changes, like reducing lawn watering, postponing car washes, and shortening showers, can collectively make a meaningful difference in preserving water supplies. Taking these steps now could help prevent more stringent conservation measures down the road if dry conditions continue.

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