Syracuse, N.Y. -- The number of Upstate New York counties heading toward drought has more than doubled in the past three weeks, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
In late July, 21 counties in Central and Western New York were placed under a drought watch. That number has climbed to 49 counties, extending from far Western New York to the lower Hudson Valley.
A drought watch is the first of four levels of drought advisories issued by the DEC. No water restrictions are in place, but residents are encouraged to conserve water by watering lawns only necessary, raising lawn mowers to keep grass longer, and using a broom instead of a hose to clean sidewalks.
The advisories are based on rainfall, levels of lakes and reservoirs, groundwater levels and water flow in streams and rivers. All of those are below normal.
Most of Upstate has had a rainfall shortfall this summer. Some areas under a drought watch have seen just 25% to 50% of the normal amount of rain since mid-June. Temperatures have also been 2 to 3 degrees warmer than normal, leading to more evaporation and lost moisture from the soil.
Syracuse set a record for the hottest start to August since records began 120 years ago.
After a weeklong reprieve, Upstate will get hot again, starting late this week. Highs will likely be in the upper 80s this weekend and into next week.
The good news is that next week is likely to be rainier than normal, the National Weather Service said. It’s too early to know how much rain will fall and where, or whether it will be enough to make up for the lack of rain so far.
Most of Upstate New York has had less rain than normal over the past 60 days, and temperatures have been well above normal.