Data from the US Drought Monitor indicates that portions of Western New York have officially reached drought status.
The News reports that Niagara and a majority of Erie County have registered for "moderate drought" status. The City of Buffalo is down 5 inches from normal precipitation levels at this point in the year. Grand Island officials are asking residents to voluntarily restrict their water usage, and New York State is suspending existing burning permits and placing a temporary ban on residential burning.
Rain is in the local forecast for Saturday night and Sunday.
