Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought Expanded, Eased in New England and the Northeast

Drought recently expanded or eased in New England and the Northeast, depending on the location, according to the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

“Severe drought expanded in southeastern Massachusetts and was introduced in Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut, while moderate drought was introduced in eastern New York, central New Jersey, and southeastern Delaware,” the center said in an update posted on July 28. “However, locally heavy rainfall allowed pockets of moderate drought and abnormal dryness to ease in portions of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, western New York, and northwestern Pennsylvania.”

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, 3 percent of the Northeast was in a severe drought (up from 1 percent a week earlier), 18 percent was in a moderate drought (down from 21 percent) and 28 percent was abnormally dry (up from 25 percent), the center said.

Growing precipitation deficits, reduced streamflow, low soil moisture, above-normal temperatures and impacts on water resources and agriculture were among the factors that worsened conditions, according to the center.

Water restrictions in effect in parts of New England, New York and New Jersey escalated in some cases. Fifty-four New Hampshire water systems had mandatory water restrictions as of July 25, and more wells in Maine ran dry, according to the center.

Update on Drought in New England and the Northeast

Temperatures were 4 degrees to 8 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in most of the Northeast this week and eastern areas also had drier weather, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. There were widespread calls for water conservation from New England to the Hudson Valley and New Jersey, and hay fields struggled in Rhode Island.

Dry June in Much of New England and the Spread of Moderate Drought

However, it rained in parts of the region yesterday and more was expected tonight.

“Some beneficial rain possible tonight across MA, RI & CT. Not a #drought buster but definitely helpful. Some locations may receive 0.25 inches or greater,” the Boston/Norton weather service office tweeted.

Rainfall forecast for tonight. Source: National Weather Service Boston/Norton office

In New Hampshire and western Maine, the weather will be largely dry on Saturday through Thursday, according to a forecast discussion by the weather service office that covers the area. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible Tuesday but the projected rainfall “will not help to improve drought situation.”

Heat will also return, with temperatures approaching the low to mid 90s, especially across southern New Hampshire, by mid-week, the discussion says. “Increasing humidity may introduce some heat index values near 95 degrees.”

More images, including two photos at Rainbow Falls in Plymouth, New Hampshire, this week and when it was frozen in January:

Severe drought was expected to continue from July 31 to Aug. 4, 2022, in parts of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut in the brown area, according to an updated “Day 3–7 Hazards Outlook” released on July 28, 2022. Source: Weather Prediction Center at the National Weather Service

Source: NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System and USDA

Generally low stream flow in much of New England at 7:30 a.m. on July 29, 2022. Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Generally low stream flow in much of New England at 7:30 a.m. on July 29, 2022. Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor via National Centers for Environmental Information

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the beige area in Maine was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the orange area in New Hampshire was in a severe drought, the beige area was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the beige area in Vermont was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the orange area in Massachusetts was in a severe drought, the beige area was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the orange area in Rhode Island was in a severe drought, the beige area was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

As of 8 a.m. on July 26, the orange area in Connecticut was in a severe drought, the beige area was in a moderate drought and the yellow area was abnormally dry. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center

Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Low flow at Rainbow Falls in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on July 27, 2022. Photo by Todd B. Bates/NH EnviroGuy blogger

Frozen Rainbow Falls in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on Jan. 14, 2022. Photo by Todd B. Bates/NH EnviroGuy blogger

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