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(CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of consecutive days Wilmington had not seen rain. As of Friday, the number was 34.)
October 2024 was the driest month on record in Wilmington and Georgetown, setting a new record that will be hard to break.
For both, it was the first time they had gone an entire calendar month without measurable precipitation. In October, Wilmington typically receives 3.68 inches of precipitation and Georgetown typically receives 4.11 inches.
As of Friday, both Wilmington and Georgetown had the most consecutive days without rain in their recorded history. Georgetown had 35 days; the previous record was set on Nov. 19, 2001. Wilmington had 34 days, tying the record set on Feb. 9, 1909, and is expected to break the record on Saturday.
Only a trace of rain was recorded at both Delaware locations in October, which cannot be measured. The previous driest month Wilmington had seen was October 1924, a century ago, with 0.05 inches; in Georgetown it was November 2012 with 0.01 inches. Weather records in the region date back to the late 1800s.
This dry October comes after part of the state had its driest September on record, measuring less than 0.10 inches of rain in Wilmington and Georgetown.
National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Johnson said high pressure systems have been affecting the Northeast, keeping significant weather factors out of the area.
“Generally when you have high pressure it means pretty good weather or dry weather and it’s just been pretty persistent,” she said.
The US Drought Monitor shows that much of the First State is in severe drought. On Oct. 25, Gov. John Carney issued a drought alert, the first step in a statewide drought response that may require voluntary reductions in water use, such as watering the lawn.
There is also an existing ban on open burning by the state fire marshal, which has banned the sale and use of fireworks for Diwali. Both the drought watch and the burn ban will end as soon as enough rain falls, which could take some time. Wilmington and Dover are expected to be dry this week, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey. There is a 30% chance of showers Thursday night in Georgetown.
But Johnson said it will take more than heavy, soaking rain to get the state out of the drought.
“Drought is a very long-term weather pattern, and the general rule — and there are exceptions — is that it takes you as long to get out of drought as it does to get you into drought,” she said.
While climate change favors extreme weather patterns, it will take more time and research to understand whether this particular prolonged drought is related to it, she said.
Despite the drought watch, the state’s water supply is still good and water providers statewide do not anticipate impacts to residents.
(This story has been updated to meet our standards.)