Drought and Melissa

 

The current drought conditions here in the Northeast. 

The drought across the northeast Continues to persist. But we did see some areas that saw some improvement this week. The extreme drought conditions did improve Across Vermont New Hampshire into western Maine. The severe and moderate drought conditions Across western New York State and western Pennsylvania also saw improvement. But not everyone has seen meaningful rainfall. Extreme drought conditions worsened over southern Maine. The moderate drought conditions expanded across northern New York State.

The drought monitor release today for our region shows, 11% in extreme drought, 23% In severe drought, 31% In moderate drought, with 28% of the region still experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

This compares To 12%, 24%, 28% and 29% last week.

Melissa

Image credit Eric Boreham

After leaving Death and destruction in the north west Caribbean. Melissa has pulled away from the Bahamas, As she heads towards Bermuda.

Image credit Tomer Burg

The National Hurricane Center currently has her a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds at 105 mph, Central pressure of 965MB, Galloping north northeast at 24 mph. She is around 215 miles Northeast of the central Bahamas.  She looks to pass north of Bermuda as a category 1 or category 2 hurricane.

Alexa has been basically holding her own In the face of strong wind shear. But as she continues to move northeast She will be moving into colder waters And the windshield will still remain strong. She still has a limited window To gain a little more strength. Before the conditions catch up to her and she starts the weekend later today into the night transferring into an extra tropical cyclone. The name change won't change her impact on Bermuda, as her wind field will expand and increased forward speed, will bring hurricane conditions to Bermuda, as she passes to the north.