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New Jersey may enter a drought warning this week as the region faces record-low rainfall, leading to the driest conditions in the past 120 years.

The state’s Department of Environmental Protection hosted a virtual hearing Tuesday to discuss current conditions and the potential need to conserve water.

The agency invited members of the press to attend a Wednesday briefing, at which officials will discuss a drought warning.

If a drought warning is declared, the state could modify reservoir releases, require leak detections by water suppliers, and urge the public to voluntarily use water sparingly. A warning could be issued statewide, or be limited to the most hard-hit parts of the state, officials said Tuesday.

New Jersey entered a drought watch in October as the state faced the driest two-month period on record, leading to diminished streamflow, reservoir and groundwater levels. Environmental officials across the region have since asked residents to voluntarily conserve water at home.

Water supplies have worsened since last week in some locations, DEP officials said Tuesday, and about 40% of water providers are experiencing an above-average water demand.

The dry conditions have also caused an unseasonable number of wildfires in New Jersey, and the state has banned open fires such as bonfires.

NEW YORK — A Red Flag Warning is back in effect for much of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Tuesday, as gusty winds return to the forecast, along with the risk of wildfires.

After achieving record-setting warmth at a few locations Monday, temperatures will struggle to reach the mid 50s, retreating back to what’s consider normal. Paired with gusty winds, this will make it feel even cooler, so be sure to dress warm.

Map shows Red Flag Warning for Tri-State Area

Unfortunately, with the leaves and brush rapidly drying out, fire spread will be a greater concern Tuesday. 

The Red Flag Warning has been issued from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for New York City, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, northeast New Jersey and southwest Connecticut. 

The National Weather Service centers in New York and New Jersey put out a joint statement, reading in part, “Due to the combination of gusty winds and marginal relative humidity values, these conditions could support the rapid spread of any fires that ignite, which could quickly become difficult to control.”

Dry, windy conditions fueling recent fires

The combination of dry and windy conditions have been fueling brush fires, like one that broke out last weekend in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. 

It has also made it more difficult for the firefighters working to contain the Jennings Creek wildfire burning through 5,000 acres on the New York-New Jersey border near Greenwood Lake. 

“Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Be sure to properly extinguish or dispose of any potential ignition sources, including smoking materials such as cigarette butts,” the National Weather Service joint statement continued.   

Drought stretches into another week

While the area received a little rainfall Sunday into Monday, it has been more than a month without a soaking rain, and drought conditions persist across the Northeast.

The winds will keep up Tuesday night, as temperatures go down to the 30s and 20s. Crisp sunshine will dominate Wednesday, with temperatures running even colder. Thankfully, the winds won’t be quite as strong, but do expect an elevated fire risk once again.

Thursday will likely be the coldest day of the week, with highs only in the 40s. While we expect more cloud cover that day, the wet weather will probably miss us to the south and west.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is scheduled to visit the site of the deadly Jennings Creek wildfire Tuesday and deliver remarks. Watch live around 1:15 p.m. on CBS News New York.