Gov. Phil Murphy declared a statewide drought warning on Friday, Dec. 5, authorizing the state Department of Environmental Protection to closely monitor water supplies.

The elevation to a drought warning comes just two months after the state entered a drought watch status Oct. 1.

A drought warning is a step below the declaration of a drought emergency, under which the state could issue mandatory water restrictions. There are no such restrictions now, but the public and businesses are asked to voluntarily reduce water use.

A drought warning enables the DEP to more closely manage water systems by directing water transfers among systems, controlling releases from reservoirs and modifying the permitted rate of flow in streams and rivers downstream of reservoirs to balance ecological protection and needs of water suppliers.

In June Murphy lifted the drought warning that had been in effect in the Garden State since November 2024.

“The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” said DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.

State Climatologist Dave Robinson said: “Over the past 15 months, we’ve seen a significant deficit in precipitation, with only two months exceeding average levels.” 

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.