Delaware has been bone-dry for weeks, and the forecast doesn’t offer much relief.
Wilmington and Georgetown had the driest September on record this year. The last measurable rain in Wilmington was three weeks ago, on Sept. 28, with only 0.04 inches. There was a trace of rain on Oct. 1 and 2.
Other than that, it’s been dry. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the state is in a moderate drought. Each county has places experiencing a severe drought. Western Kent and Sussex counties are still “abnormally dry.”
A large part of Sussex County, including Lewes and the beaches, is experiencing severe drought. These areas have gotten 5 inches below normal rainfall this year. Georgetown has received only 0.3 inches of rain since the beginning of September, said meteorologist Paul Martin of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
Martin said a drought of this length in the fall is not as bad as it would be in the summer growing season. Right now, he said, the dry weather could even help with harvesting. However, Martin is concerned about how the drought will affect crop yields next year.