Though hot and drier than usual, N.J. not in danger of drought

While many parts of the nation are experiencing drought conditions, New Jersey is not suffering from a lack of rain.

State climatologist Dave Robinson says last month was the fifth-hottest July on record in the Garden State and rainfall was about an inch less than normal.

However, he says, recent storms made up for dry conditions early last month.

“On a local level, there are certainly some areas around the state that are quite dry and might have danger of brush fire, but there’s no widespread fire danger in the state right now,” Robinson said. “We’ve been plenty wet enough in the last couple of weeks to minimize that danger.”

Parts of South Jersey have been dry for most of the summer, but farmers say that’s not an issue because they’ve been irrigating their crops.

Reservoir levels across the state are near normal.

Robinson says it would have to be very warm and dry this month and next to cause drought concerns.