The region is not there yet, but more than 50 percent of New York – including the four-county GLOW region and adjacent counties – is “abnormally dry,” according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
All of Genesee, Livingston and Orleans counties are considered “abnormally dry.” Most of Wyoming County – all but a small portion in the southwest corner of the county – also rates as “abnormally dry.” Rain, which was close to normal – and even above normal in Mount Morris – for the month of June has been hard to come by in July.
Avon had recorded the most rain through July 15, with a total of 0.67 inch, compared to a normal monthly total of 1.52 inches.
Mount Morris, which typically sees 1.83 inches in July, was at 0.59 inches midway through the month.
Dansville, which normally sees 1.05 inches of rain during July, had only received 0.28 inch as of July 15.
Avon and Mount Morris have each had seven days of 90 degrees or more, according to NRCC data.
Several counties in northern New York and the eastern Adirondacks, however, are experiencing “moderate drought,” the lowest stage of four drought categories.
“Moderate drought was introduced over northeast New York and portions of northern New York this week.” The Climate Prediction Center said drought is likely to expand across Western and Central New York later this summer.
The U.S. Drought Monitor released July 12 showed 54 percent of New York as “abnormally dry,” and a little more than 9 percent in “moderate drought.” A year ago, only 1.8 percent of the state was considered “abnormally dry” and no areas had any drought designations.
Later that summer some areas of the state were designated as “extreme drought.”