After a wet start to the meteorological summer in June, the weather became progressively drier as the summer progressed into September, especially in the northeast part of the state. The United States Drought Monitor reached moderate levels in that part of the state. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a drought watch on the 23rd for the northeast part of the state and this included all or parts of  Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer and Ocean Counties.
The department urged residents in the affected areas to voluntarily conserve water and for the rest of the state to practice wise water use due to continued dry weather and above-average temperatures.  The drought watch was prompted by continued rainfall deficits that have decreased reservoir, ground water and streamflow levels in the area.  Signs of stress in water supply indicators started to occur.  The department asked residents to use water more carefully and deliberately, especially when it comes to lawn watering and other non-essential uses. Some suggested water conservation tips included: to not over-water lawns and landscaping;  use a hose with a hand-held nozzle to water flowers and shrubs; avoid watering lawns and plants during the heat of the day; use a broom to sweep the sidewalk, rather than a hose; fix leaky faucets and pipes;  turn off the faucet while brushing teeth and shaving and run washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded.
Drinking water supply indicators were showing signs of stress from the dry weather and high water demands, including stream flows and ground water levels, as well as declining reservoir storage in the New Jersey Water Supply Authority���s Spruce Run and Manasquan Reservoirs in Hunterdon and Monmouth Counties, respectively. A side effect of the dry weather was an expected smaller (in size) pumpkin crop.  Farmers have had to endure increased costs of water and electricity to irrigate their crops.
While rainfall amounts in September were closer to normal, monthly precipitation totals in the watch area were all less than normal. This still represented an improvement over July and August when some counties averaged only half their normal rainfall.

Drought in Morris, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Hunterdon, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Somerset, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Middlesex, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Mercer, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Western Monmouth, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Western Ocean, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Eastern Monmouth, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

Drought in Eastern Ocean, NEW JERSEY
From 23-SEP-15 11:00:00 to 30-SEP-15 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official