New York City’s prolonged drought will finally get some relief tonight and tomorrow, as up to 2 inches of rain is expected to soak the Big Apple, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service indicates a storm system is moving toward the metropolitan area that will arrive at about 10 p.m. tonight, Nov. 20, and provide heavy rain well into Thursday. “The rain could be heavy at times,” the weather service indicated.
Thursday is expected to be a raw, rainy day in the Big Apple. There will be rain throughout, and temperatures will not rise above 51 degrees. By the time the storm clears out, the National Weather Service predicts the city will receive between 1 and 2 inches of rain, with localized higher totals possible.
The oncoming storm will provide much-needed relief to a city that hasn’t seen significant rainfall in more than two months, but it will not break the historic drought currently gripping the five boroughs and — more importantly — the upstate reservoirs that supply our water.
As of Nov. 19, the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reported that the city’s water supply system is at 59.8% capacity — nearly 20% below the 79.2% normal capacity for the system at this point in time.
Between September and October 2024, just 2.23 inches of precipitation were recorded at the reservoirs — well below the historic September-October average total of 8.84 inches. So far this month, just 0.21 inches of rain has fallen in the city’s watershed.
The situation prompted Mayor Eric Adams to declare a drought emergency on Monday, enhancing previous City Hall efforts to conserve water citywide. The city uses about a billion gallons of water each day.
Moreover, the dry conditions have resulted in hundreds of brush fires at public parks and other wooded areas of the city this month alone. The most recent blaze occurred on Tuesday afternoon at Highbridge Park in upper Manhattan.
For the drought to finally break, the city and its reservoirs will need to see several more heavy rainstorms like the one expected to hit tonight and tomorrow in relatively rapid succession.
The city provided additional steps New Yorkers can take to help preserve water:
- Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311.
- Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily.
- Take shorter showers, which the city says can save five to seven gallons a minute. When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons.
- Don’t run the tap while shaving, washing hands, or brushing teeth. Faucets use two to three gallons per minute.
- Fix leaks. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, according to the EPA.
- Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available. Turn off the water while washing dishes.
- Install water-saving fixtures, including low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as faucet aerators.
- Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.
More information is available on the DEP’s website at nyc.gov/dep.
