Maps show drought and fire conditions in northeastern states

The Northeast US is experiencing persistent drought conditions, which is helping to increase fire danger. For Friday, a Enhanced Fire Weather Outlook was issued by the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center for an area stretching from Massachusetts to the northern shore of Virginia and West Virginia.

This increased fire risk is due to sustained winds of 10-15 mph, as well as gusts of 25-35 mph. Relative humidity levels are as low as 20% at some places. red flag warning issued Friday evening for parts of the Northeast and New England.

weekly drought monitoring Come Thursday, and 57% of the tri-state area of ​​metro New York, New Jersey and Connecticut is in moderate drought. bushfires broke out New Jersey with the Palisades Firefighters battled others throughout the night fire in southern new jerseyand multiple wildfires burning in massachusettsWhere drought conditions range from moderate to severe.

Here's more about the conditions facing states in the region:

For Pennsylvania, 22% of the state is now in severe drought With 4% in extreme drought. philadelphia Its last measurable rainfall was 0.11 inches on September 29. The average annual rainfall in Philadelphia is 37.89 inches and so far this year there has been 33.43 inches.

For Maryland, 53% of the state is now in severe drought With 4% in extreme drought. The last measurable rainfall in Baltimore was 0.35 inches recorded on October 1. Baltimore receives an average of 38.94 inches of rainfall annually and so far this year, only 31.71 inches have fallen.

For New Jersey, 76% of the state is now in severe drought And it has turned into severe drought in about 20% of the south-eastern part of the state. Newark Liberty International Airport last received measurable rainfall of 0.39 inches on September 29. Newark receives an average of 39.88 inches of rainfall annually and so far this year it has received 34.82 inches of rain.

For New York, 85% of the state is unusually dry While 26% of the state is now in moderate drought condition. The last measurable rainfall in New York City's Central Park occurred on September 29 with 0.78 inches (technically 0.01 inches occurred on October 29 but that was not that significant). Central Park typically receives an average annual rainfall of 42.38 inches and so far this year it has received 38.49 inches of rain.

For Connecticut, 100% of the state is now in moderate droughtThat's up from just 14% at that level in the state last week. The last measurable rainfall recorded in New Haven was 0.27 inches on October 7 (technically 0.01 inches of rain fell on November 1 but even that wasn't incredibly significant). Hartford, which receives an average of 40.25 inches of rainfall annually, has received 39.29 inches so far this year.

For Massachusetts, 84% of the state is in moderate drought conditions While 32% is in severe drought condition. The last measurable rainfall in Boston was 0.18 inches on October 30. The average annual rainfall in Boston is 36.46 inches and so far this year the city has received 36.38 inches of rain.

Dry conditions in the Northeast are not expected to last long, as the next chance of rain may occur by Sunday night.