Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Central Park’s dry spell nears century-old record as October remains rain-free
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 28, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 28, 2024
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Central Park is experiencing one of its longest dry spells in history, reaching 29 consecutive days without measurable rainfall on Monday — the second-longest streak since records began in 1869, according to local meteorologists and officials.
If the dry weather continues, this month could break a century-old record. Central Park’s longest rainless stretch was set in 1924, with 36 days without measurable precipitation, the city’s emergency management agency said. Should the current dry spell last through October, this will be the first month on record with no measurable rainfall at the park since officials began tracking precipitation.
“We could be looking at potentially some records here — driest October of all time and driest month of all time — at Central Park,” said John Murray, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
While no measurable precipitation — defined as at least 0.01 inches of rain — has been recorded in Central Park, there have been “trace but not measurable” amounts of rain this month, Murray said. He attributed the dry conditions to a high-pressure system and a pattern of moisture-lacking air that’s prevented rainfall.
The dry conditions come with mixed effects. They may reduce the local populations of weeds and mosquitoes, but they also raise wildfire risks, put stress on trees and dull the fall foliage, according to the emergency management agency.
Tagged
Health and Science
weather
new york city
central park
environment
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park
People who said they knew her described her as an artist and a familiar presence in the Ramble.
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 7:04 p.m. ET
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .