Boston and other parts of New England, including Cape Cod, are experiencing near-drought conditions even as much-needed rain arrives in the region, hopefully ending a monthlong dry spell that has left plant beds and lawns parched and soil moisture levels waning.

The dry spell in Boston and Eastern Massachusetts is mainly due to a persistent “high-pressure system” — think clear skies and sunny weather — as opposed to “low-pressure systems” which bring heavy clouds and rainfall, according to Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

Day after day of sunshine and dry, comfy air. There has no measurable rain in Boston yet this month. Going back to August, the dry streak extends even further. As of Sunday, the city has had 19 consecutive dry days, the longest such streak since 1999.

Bring a pattern change from sunny, warm and dry to cloudier, cooler and wet at times. Light rain and drizzle move in tonight with off and on rounds of rain coming i