Mother Nature isn’t helping New Jersey much at all. After some light rain finally fell Sunday night and Monday morning, ending a record-breaking spell of dry weather, another dry spell could potentially develop.

Forecasters say the Garden State region may not see any measurable rain for at least six or seven days — which is bad news for our severe drought situation and for firefighters struggling to get a handle on the half-dozen-plus wildfires burning in the region. stands.

Both the National Weather Service and AccuWeather say rain is unlikely in New Jersey the rest of this week and into next weekend. There is a small chance that a low pressure system will bring some showers on Thursday night. But the current trend is leaning against that, with the system expected to remain too far south to give our region a much-needed soak.

After six consecutive weeks without measurable rain — less than a hundredth of an inch — many parts of the state received between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain Sunday night and early Monday morning, while a few cities received half an inch of rain. inches or slightly more, according to precipitation data from the National Weather Service and the Rutgers NJ Weather Network.

A record rainless streak is coming to an end

The light rain did not dent the severe drought situation in the state, but did end record-breaking periods of dry weather in many parts of our region, along with Philadelphia.

Newark area: The Newark area had 41 consecutive days without measurable rain (September 30 through November 9) before 0.07 inches of rain fell at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday. Newark’s old record was 26 dry days (May 30 to June 24, 1949).

Trenton area: The Trenton area had 42 consecutive days without measurable rain (September 29 through November 9) until 0.10 inches of rain fell at Trenton Mercer Airport in Ewing on Sunday. Trenton’s old record was 38 dry days (April 16 through May 23, 1903).

Atlantic City area: The Atlantic City area had 38 consecutive days without measurable rain (October 3 through November 9) until 0.12 inches of rain fell at Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona on Sunday. Atlantic City’s old record was 34 dry days (August 13 through September 15, 1995).

Philadelphia area: There were 42 in the Philadelphia area consecutive days without measurable rain (September 29 through November 9) until 0.16 inches of rain fell at Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday. Philly’s old record was 29 dry days (October 11 through November 8, 1874).

Current weather radar