New York state has lifted its statewide drought watch, ending what was nearly a monthslong period for some counties. Fifteen counties in and around New York City and the Hudson Valley were put under a drought watch in early November as a lack of rain led to fire risk.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Friday updated drought conditions across the state, returning all 62 New York counties to "normal" status. In cooperation with the state's Drought Management Task Force,

Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that New York City is no longer under a drought watch, ending a two-month period during which residents were urged to conserve water amid a historic shortage of rainfall.