SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Greater Philadelphia got some much-needed rain overnight, but officials say it’s still not enough to end the drought that’s been plaguing the region for more than a month.
The drought has helped fuel multiple wildfires in New Jersey and Reading, Pennsylvania. They brought hazy conditions and the smell of smoke to parts of Philadelphia and South Jersey on Sunday.
Accuweather senior meteorologist Bob Larson said the overnight rain should give some relief to crews battling the fires.
“It may not extinguish every fire, but it certainly will help in containing them in the short term, before the winds increase again later Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
While the record-breaking dry spell — 42 days — officially ended with Sunday night’s rain, Larson said much more rain is needed to end the drought.
“It’ll put a little dent in the drought, will certainly help to alleviate it, but we did not get into this drought overnight. We’re not going to get out of it overnight,” he said.