Northeast News

Drought Becomes Extreme in the Northeast
Significant drought impacts continue to be reported in northern New England, West Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania. Drought conditions intensified this week, with extreme drought now present in parts of five states. Conditions could continue to deteriorate in northern and interior parts of the Northeast given the outlook for limited precipitation and above-normal temperatures.

• In the history of the U.S. Drought Monitor (since 2000), Vermont is in extreme drought for the first time and New Hampshire has its highest coverage of extreme drought.
• Extreme drought also took root in Maine, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
• 76.51% of Vermont is now in severe drought, its highest such coverage since the Drought Monitor began in 2000.
• Current observations show less than 50% of normal precipitation in the past 30 days, much below normal streamflow at several locations, and reduced soil moisture.
• Little, if any, rain is expected during the next five days.
• Short-term outlooks as of September 17 favor above-normal temperatures with below- or near-normal precipitation.
• On-the-ground reports indicate parched pastures leading to use of supplemental feed, water being hauled for livestock, drought-stressed corn and trees, and smaller waterways running low or drying up.

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.

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