Central Park’s dry spell nears century-old record as October remains rain-free

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.