New Jersey residents are looking forward to some much-needed rain as several counties have been experiencing dry conditions through April. 

The latest national drought map released earlier this week shows drought conditions in Bergen and Passaic counties as well as the northern parts of Essex and Morris counties. 

In April, New Jersey has seen about 1 to 2 inches of rainfall, when April normally receives 4 inches of rainfall. This time in 2022, no counties were in drought conditions until the summer months. 

Dry conditions are arriving much sooner, with 62% of the state being classified as abnormally dry.

"This is early to be dry," said Dr. David Robinson, state climatologist at Rutgers University. "It's early to see the reservoirs starting to decline slightly when they should still be rising for the next couple of weeks."

Rain is expected to arrive into Sunday, but not enough to ease ongoing drought conditions.