New York City was hit with a minimal amount of rain before heading into another dry spell.
According to the National Weather Service, Central Park saw a 0.08-inch rainfall, breaking the streak of a rainless autumn. Throughout the tri-state area, the rainfall ranged from 0.15 to 0.30 inches.
At the beginning of November, a drought watch was declared for New York City after a historically dry October where there was almost no measurable rainfall. City Hall urged New Yorkers on Nov. 4 to take measures to conserve water, including reporting leaking fire hydrants, not watering their lawns, flushing the toilet less often, shortening shower times, and not running the water while brushing your teeth, and city agencies were warned to prepare in the event of a long-term drought.
Despite the recent brief rainfall, New Yorkers shouldn’t grab their rainboots just yet. The National Weather Service predicts that there will be no rain in the forecast at least through next weekend.
According to the FDNY, the department has responded to hundreds of calls of brush fires throughout the city over the past few weeks, including a recent brush fire in Prospect Park that broke out on Nov. 8. Though FDNY notes that many of the fires have been minor, some haven’t, reaching multiple alarms and threatening the safety of lives and property.
“Brush fires can spread quickly, fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions. October and November have been historically dry and warm,” FDNY said in a statement on Instagram.
In the days following the fire, the air quality in Brooklyn has improved slightly, and New York City’s air quality index for Nov. 11 was moderate. However, the aftermath of the fire, which destroyed two wooded acres in the Nethermead near the Prospect Park Boathouse, the city has issued a ban on grilling in public parks.
The FDNY is urging New Yorkers to take extra precautions while the city remains on a drought watch to limit any outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, and any other open flames, keeping grills away from any grass. The department also recommends that smokers dispose of their cigarette butts and matches properly, take added precautions while welding near dry grass and weeds, and staying on designated trails while in the parks.
