Connecticut Drought Assessment Report
(Updated October 25, 2002)
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Cumulative Rainfall Deficit (DEP)
From January 1, 2002 to October 23, 2002 the cumulative
departure from normal is minus 3.48 inches. In October, as of the
23rd, an average of 2.68 inches of rain fell across the
state. The average rainfall as of October 23rd is 2.62
inches.
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Weather Forecast (DEP/NWS)
The next week to ten days is expected to be above normal for
precipitation and below normal for temperatures. November is
expected to be near normal for precipitation and temperatures. The
Winter Weather Forecast for December – March is currently
predicting a normal winter with near normal precipitation and
slightly above normal temperatures in Connecticut.
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Streamflow (USGS)
Data from surface-water gages across the state
indicate that the 7-day average streamflow is still somewhat below
normal for this time of the year.
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Ground Water (USGS)
Nine of 70 wells were at new lows for September (5
were new lows for the period of record) and one well was at a new
high for September (this well is near a river and the water level
may have been effected by recent rains). Of the 14 wells measured
since the drought of the 1960’s, eight were in the normal range
and six were below normal.
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Water Supplies (DPH)
- Reservoir levels and trends: As of October 15, 2002,
reservoirs were at 73.7 percent of capacity. Normal capacity
for this time of the year is 80.8 percent of capacity.
- Utilities on DPH’s Watch List: Bristol, New
Britain, Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk Second Taxing District,
New London and the other systems it supplies, such as
Waterford. No change.
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Palmer Drought Index (USDA): Near
Normal
Crop Moisture Index (USDA): Normal
Daily Forest Fire Danger
Report (DEP): Moderate
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Summary Comments and
Recommendations:
Recent rains have alleviated the general concerns about a
return to drought-like conditions. However, the reservoir levels
have dropped to some extent since August. Nevertheless, this
does not appear to portend a problem for water supplies at this
time. So, far October has been wetter than normal. With the
present weather pattern it seems likely that above normal
precipitation will continue for the near future and therefore it
is expected that the precipitation deficit for the year will
continue to diminish, at least for the short-term.
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