Why New Jersey faces a drought warning this winter

💧 New Jersey issues a drought warning as the state nears its second consecutive winter drought.

💧 Reservoirs and groundwater levels are falling statewide, except along the Jersey Shore.

💧 Officials warn that continued dry conditions could mean another year of water restrictions.

New Jersey could face another year of water restrictions and high wildfire risk as the state verges on its second winter drought in a row.

A drought warning has been issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection. It's the last alert level before an emergency is declared and residents are ordered to conserve water.

Get our free mobile app

Last fall, the Garden State saw the driest October on record — that's since 1895 — and the most severe drought since 2002. Real relief only came with March rains.

New Jersey has seen rain since then; severe thunderstorms in July led to emergency flooding and even killed two women in Plainfield.

The question that climatologists are asking is whether this is a new drought or a continuation of last year's.

The western half of New Jersey is facing a moderate drought, with some areas experiencing a severe drought, as of Dec. 9, 2025. (U.S. Drought Monitor)

Dry December in New Jersey

Overall, there has been below-average rainfall each month over the last 15 months, except for May and July. That's led to at least abnormally dry conditions throughout most of New Jersey.

A few areas are experiencing a severe drought, including Salem County in South Jersey and the Atlantic Highlands region in North Jersey.

Only the shore is in good shape. That's thanks to storms like Hurricane Erin, which caused moderate erosion at nine beaches in September.

For the rest of the state, reservoir levels in North Jersey are low and worsening, and groundwater levels are low statewide.

This Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 image shows the Wanaque Reservoir in Ringwood. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

What a drought warning means for you

The good news for residents is that there are not yet any mandatory water restrictions.

“While there are currently no mandatory restrictions in place, it is up to each of us to take precautions now and do our part by conserving water use in and around our homes and businesses," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

It's also late fall, so less water will be used to water lawns and fill pools than during the summer.

Still, residents are urged to conserve water in other ways. That includes only running dishwashers and washing machines when they're full, using commercial car washes that recycle water, and checking pipes for leaks after thaws.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

The bass are biting in New Jersey fresh waters

Starting in mid to late May the largemouth bass started biting on my favorite lake. I finally got a chance to get out and see how good the fishing is this year and it didn't take long to catch. I got two bass in the first 10 minutes on the lake. We used to fish exclusively with live bait, either worms, nightcrawlers (the bigger worms), or minnows. That got too easy and it's not what "real" fishermen do.

It's more of a sport if you fool the fish into biting your hook with the right lure and the proper presentation. You have to figure out what they would be feeding on that time of year, pick a lure that resembles that and finesse it in a way that makes it look enticing to the fish. To most people, this is a stupid waste of time, but to those of us who caught the fishing bug as a kid or an adult, it's almost addictive. OK, it is addictive.

Most people look at a body of water such as a pond, lake, river, or stream and admire it for its natural beauty. Fishermen try to figure out what kind of fish are below the surface and what would be the best spot to catch them. If you have small kids and you know how to fish, you can create amazing memories and give a great lesson on nature. My dad and my uncles did that for me and those of some of the best memories of my childhood.

There are so many different kinds of fish and fishing in New Jersey's fresh waters. We usually think of fishing at the Jersey Shore, but there are plenty of fishing opportunities not far from where you live. Make sure you know a few simple rules and ask a local tackle shop for some good advice on what to buy and where to go, and you're good to go. It's a great way to enjoy the diversity of landscapes we have here and challenge yourself a little.

I challenged myself for the first time this season to try and catch a few bass on Thursday afternoon right before the rain and thunderstorms and had success right away in one of my favorite fishing holes in Medford.

Gallery Credit: Dennis Malloy