While other states may have it worse, Delaware is not immune to the global water crisis.
Whether it be for agriculture, backyard gardening or their own well-being and that of their pets, Delawareans need rain. And Monday’s thunderstorms aside, there hasn’t been much of it recently.
Where 2023 stacks up to last year
Most of Delaware has received less precipitation than normal as of late. Both New Castle and Kent County had anywhere from 0% to 50% of their normal precipitation levels from May 10 to June 9, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. Parts of Sussex County received close to normal levels.
The National Weather Service has five sites in Delaware that track daily precipitation. The Wilmington site at New Castle Airport has received 15.15 inches of precipitation this year as of Tuesday morning, over 5 inches less than this time last year.
Before Monday’s rainfall, Wilmington received just 0.05 inches of precipitation over a 30-day span, the lowest amount during this time of year since the weather service began tracking the data in 1948.
As for the other stations, Newark has received just over 9 inches less than this time in 2022. Dover, Georgetown and Lewes have all been within 2 inches of last year’s levels.
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Is Delaware in a drought?
As of June 6, nearly 30% of Delaware’s landmass was in a moderate drought, with 572,500 Delaware residents in areas of drought, according to the NIDIS’ drought monitor.
In total, 60% of Delaware’s area is either in a moderate drought or abnormally dry. The NIDIS labeled all of New Castle County and a part of Kent County at a moderate drought level. It did not tab Sussex County as having any level of drought or dryness.
Drought watches, warnings and emergencies in Delaware are declared by the governor, according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Should Delaware expect any rain soon?
Monday was one of the wettest days of the year, as Wilmington received 3.55 inches of rainfall, the highest daily precipitation amount for that National Weather Service site in 2023. There was an average of 1.04 inches of rain recorded across the state, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.
The latest weather service forecast calls for a chance of showers and scattered thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon. There is also a chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday and Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, it is expected to be mostly sunny this week, with temperatures in the low 80s.
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Conserving water in gardening and landscaping
With a lack of rain, water conservation can be critical, which is why the University of Delaware’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has several recommendations for Delawareans who like to garden or landscape.
There are multiple tips on the CANR’s website for conserving water, including:
- Selecting drought-tolerant plants
- Reducing supplemental watering
- Trapping localized stormwater on-site with rain barrels and rain gardens
- Allowing established lawn areas to go dormant during dry periods
- If hand watering, water slowly and deeply.
In addition to the provided tips, the CANR suggests Delawareans select and use plants that suit the dryness level and climate.
