drought

If it is weather variety you enjoy, April certainly must have proved rather satisfying. Atmospherically, this was expressed by a cool, wet first half of the month and a warm, dry second half. When all was totaled and averaged, the full month emerged with above-normal temperatures and close-to-normal precipitation. Toss in one northern snow event, considerable wind, lingering drought in some areas, and a major Pinelands wildfire, and there was quite a potpourri of conditions.

Looking first at precipitation, the statewide average of rain and melted snowfall was 3.72”. This was 0.02” above the 1991–2020 normal and ranked as the 62nd wettest April dating back to the start of statewide records in 1895.

April snowfall occurred in a single event that will be discussed below. This resulted in a statewide average of 0.3”, which is 0.2” below normal and ranks as the 37th snowiest April back to 1895. The northern snow division averaged 1.2” (+0.4”, 28th snowiest), while the central and southern divisions did not record snowfall (0.6” and 0.4” below normal, respectively), situations that have occurred during numerous past Aprils.

The statewide monthly average temperature was 53.3°. This was 1.8° above the 30-year mean and ranked as the 12th mildest (3-way tie). Nine of the 16 mildest Aprils in the past 131 years have occurred over the past 23 years.

Upon updating a weather friend regarding February conditions that transpired while they were away from the region, he remarked that most of what I reported appeared to have been more along the line of nuisances, while nothing of a blockbuster status occurred. I agreed, as while there were a few plowable events, one soaker (freezing rain at higher elevations), some cold and mild days, and (like in January) quite a few windy days, precipitation and temperatures came in close to normal and not much occurred that will leave lasting memories. In many respects, this applies to the entire winter of 2024/2025 (December–February), leaving an impression among many that this season had a wintrier feel than recent years. However, it was without a major nor’easter, be one excessively wet or white. Meanwhile, when all was said and done, a statewide drought warning remained in place. This report examines February conditions followed by a winter recap.

Statewide, February precipitation (rain and melted snow) averaged 2.53”. This is 0.33” below the 1991–2020 normal and ranks 50th driest since 1895. The precipitation was quite evenly distributed across the state, although the northwest came in on the drier side. The northern climate division averaged 2.56” (-0.23”, 58th driest), the southern division 2.50” (-0.39, 46th driest), and the coastal division 2.59” (-0.48”, 51st driest).

The theme of “pressure” was selected to define the last month of 2024. In an absolute sense, this refers to a mid-December period with the highest atmospheric pressure recorded in New Jersey in over 40 years. It can also be linked with pressure differentials over the course of the month that resulted in many windy days. In a relative sense, it refers to the need to recoup the substantial precipitation deficit for the second half of the year in hopes that water resources will rebound, and by spring, drought will not be of great concern. Some progress in that direction was made from late November through December, but far more is needed in upcoming months. Following a recap of December conditions, this report will conclude with an overview of the Garden State’s weather/climate of 2024, including a link to our annual top 10 event list.

Statewide, December precipitation was more plentiful than any month since August, though still below the 1991–2020 normal. The rain and melted snow averaged 3.67”. This was 0.60” below normal and ranks as the 65th driest (66th wettest) since statewide records commenced in 1895. As seen most often throughout 2024, south Jersey was drier than the north in December. The southern climate division (Mercer/Middlesex/Monmouth south, except east of the Garden State Parkway) averaged 3.55” (-0.73”, 63rd driest/68th wettest), the coastal division (east of the Parkway) came in at 3.21” (-1.15, 55th driest/76th wettest), and the northern division (Hunterdon/Somerset/Union and north) averaged 3.92” (-0.33”, 70th driest/61st wettest).

Following a remarkably dry, record-breaking October, and the two driest consecutive months on record, you had to wonder if November would have anything of note to add to a rather peculiar fall. In short, it did not disappoint. Drought continued (but it precipitated!), warmth prevailed, and a November snowfall record was established for a single storm and location. More on fall 2024 will be presented below. First, a recap of November conditions.

Statewide, November precipitation (rain and melted snow) averaged 2.65”. This was 0.71” below the 1991–2020 normal and ranks as the 52nd driest November dating back 130 years to 1895. The extreme northwest was wettest and the extreme south driest. The northern climate division (Hunterdon-Somerset-Union counties and northward) averaged 2.89” (-0.58”, 50th driest), the southern division (Mercer-Middlesex-Monmouth southward, except along the coast) 2.51” (-0.78”, 51st driest), and the coastal division (mainly east of the Garden State Parkway) 2.41” (-0.93”, 49th driest).

The statewide monthly average temperature of 49.1° was 4.0° above normal, ranking 5th mildest on record. Seven of the eight mildest Novembers in the past 130 years have occurred since 2001. The average high was 59.6°, which was 4.9° above normal and tied as the 4th mildest. The average low was 38.6°, which was 3.1° above normal and tied for 10th mildest. The north averaged 47.0° (+3.9°, 5th mildest), south 50.3° (+4.0°, tied for 4th mildest), and the coast 51.5° (+4.2°, tied for 3rd mildest).

Perhaps the title for this month’s report has captured your attention. Hope so, because while September was a rather quiet month weather-wise for New Jersey, it certainly was an unusual one. As many of you reading this report know, the prevailing winds across the middle latitudes, including New Jersey, tend to be westerlies, comprised of winds blowing from west to east. However, an unusually persistent atmospheric pattern this past month resulted in easterly winds most often blowing across the state. This led to minor coastal flooding, rip currents, and foggy conditions along the coast, and to moderate air temperatures and exceedingly dry conditions throughout NJ.

Looking first at precipitation, the general absence of notable storms either of coastal, tropical, or thunderstorm varieties led to the 3rd driest September on record. With records back 130 years to 1895, the statewide average of 0.83” was only greater than 0.29” in 1941 and 0.38” in 1914. The month fell 3.33” below the 1991–2020 average. The northern climate division averaged 1.12” (-3.34”, 7th driest), southern division 0.63” (-3.36”, 3rd driest), and coastal division 0.94” (-2.95”, 6th driest).

NJ’s statewide average September temperature was quite close to its 1991–2020 normal, coming in at 67.0°, 0.1° above normal. This ranks 31st warmest of the past 130 years due to the most recent 30-year average period being considerably warmer than earlier decades of the 20th century. The average high temperature of 76.7° was 0.5° below normal and the average minimum of 57.3° was 0.7° above normal, both indicative of a month with a prevailing maritime influence. The north averaged 65.0° (+0.1°, 34th warmest), south 68.2° (+0.1°, 31st warmest), and coast 68.7° (no departure, 35th warmest).