A wetter pattern developed during late March that lasted through May.  The tri-state region saw drought conditions relax a bit due to some very beneficial rains and some diligent water use restrictions and conservation measures.  May broke a string of 10 consecutive months of below normal precipitation.  The Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) received 4.77 inches for the month, which was 122 percent of normal or 0.85 inches above normal.  Sixteen of the past 20 months, dating back to October 2000, were below normal.  The total precipitation deficit during the past 20 months was 17.71 inches; and during the past 11 months was 14.26 inches.Despite the recent rainfall, ground water levels were similar to levels during the 1965-66 drought.  Ground water storage was much less than in normal years.  However, surface water storage did improve.The combined storage in the New York City reservoir system at the end of May was 77.0 percent capacity, which was 20.0 percent below normal.  Capacities in the individual reservoirs at the end of May were: Croton System		89.3% (Percent capacity)Roundout Reservoir		97.2%Ashokan Reservoir		69.6%Schoharie Reservoir		79.3%Cannonsville Reservoir	81.7%Pepcaton Reservoir		73.2%Neversink Reservoir		74.4%The combined storage in the Upper Delaware River Basin at the Neversink, Pepcaton and Cannonsville Reservoirs was 77.0 percent capacity (approximately 270.2 billion gallons).  This was 61.6 billion gallons below normal, or 22.8 percent below normal levels.The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation extended the Drought Warning for the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island through May 31st.

Drought in ROCKLAND, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NORTHWEST SUFFOLK, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NORTHERN WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NORTHEAST SUFFOLK, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NEW YORK (MANHATTAN), NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in QUEENS, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in KINGS (BROOKLYN), NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in NASSAU, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SOUTHEAST SUFFOLK, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in RICHMOND (STATEN IS.), NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SOUTHWEST SUFFOLK, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in PUTNAM, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in BRONX, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in ORANGE, NEW YORK
From 01-MAY-02 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-02 23:59:00 (EST)
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY