Northeast News

Drought Intensifies; Some Rain This Week Then Turning Drier
Significant drought impacts continue to be reported in northern New England, West Virginia, and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. Drought conditions intensified this week, with extreme and severe drought expanding in multiple states. Beneficial rainfall is expected this week, but short-term outlooks favor a return of warm, dry conditions for most areas.

• In the history of the U.S. Drought Monitor (since 2000), Vermont and New Hampshire have their highest coverage of extreme drought.
• 99.94% of New York is experiencing abnormally dry or worse conditions, its third highest such coverage in the U.S. Drought Monitor’s history.
• Observations as of September 23 show less than 50% of normal precipitation in the past 30 days, much below normal or record low streamflow at multiple locations, and reduced soil moisture.
• On-the-ground reports indicate parched pastures leading to use of supplemental feed, water being hauled for livestock, crop losses, and smaller waterways running low or drying up.
• Beneficial rain has fallen this week but after September 26, limited rainfall is expected for northern and interior locations.
• The region's southeastern corner is expected to be wetter, with chances for more rainfall this weekend and into early next week.
• Short-term outlooks for September 30-October 8 favor near- or above-normal temperatures with below- or near-normal precipitation, which could lead to further deterioration.

For the latest information, visit the Northeast DEWS Dashboard (to see the full Northeast, click on the grayed-out Pennsylvania in the map in the top left) and the Northeast Drought Update. Submit drought impact reports via the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) page.

Website Highlights