Drought Status Update for the Northeast

Timely rain and snow events prevent Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions from expanding.

For more details, see the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard.

Key Points

Since the last drought status update, abnormally dry (D0) conditions developed in northwestern and southeastern New York and expanded in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. A little more than half of Vermont is now abnormally dry.
Moderate drought (D1) and severe drought (D2) persisted in New Hampshire and Maine.
Portions of the Northeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) are under Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Warnings, Flood Watches, and Flood Warnings through February 18. Forecasted rain and snow could provide drought relief in some areas, but flooding and river/stream ice jams are a threat.

U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions: Northeast | February 15, 2022

U.S. Drought Monitor

Current U.S. Drought Monitor map for the Northeast Drought Early Warning System with data valid for February 15, 2022. The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor:

Severe drought (D2) exists in 1.51% of the region.
Moderate drought (D1) conditions exist in 2.11% of the region.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions exist in 19.32% of the region.

Source(s): NDMC, NOAA, USDA

U.S. Drought Monitor Categories

Last Updated: 02/15/22

1.51%

of the Northeast is in Severe Drought (D2)

2.11%

of the Northeast is in Moderate Drought (D1)

19.32%

of the Northeast is Abnormally Dry (D0)

Current Conditions

Accumulated Precipitation Departure from Normal

Accumulated precipitation departures from normal from January 2021 through mid-February 2022 for three locations in the Northeast: Rangeley, ME (blue), Saint Johnsbury Asos, VT (black), and Lowville, NY (green). — Departure from normal precipitation (inches) for Rangeley, ME (*blue*), Saint Johnsbury, VT (*black*), and Lowville, NY (*green*). Source: ACIS.

Snowfall Departure from Normal

Snowfall departure from normal map of the Northeast DEWS, showing departure (in inches) from normal snowfall from February 1 to 15, 2022.

Snow Water Equivalent (Inches)

Animation: 2022 YTD U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions in the Northeast

Animation showing weekly U.S. Drought Monitor conditions for the Northeast DEWS for 2022 year to date (through February 15). — Animation showing the progression of drought across the Northeast in 2022 year to date (through February 15), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Explore more historical drought conditions.

State-Reported Impacts

Maine

Atlantic Salmon Runs in Penobscot River Lowest in 5 Years
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting a virtual wild blueberry conference. Conference topics include weed, pest and disease management, water use, and drought planning. View the conference agenda—sessions are scheduled through March 17.

Outlooks

The 8–14 day outlook (valid February 25 to March 3) favors above-normal precipitation from eastern New York to Maine, below-normal precipitation in far-western New York, and near-normal in the rest of New York state. Odds favor below-normal temperatures throughout the Northeast DEWS.
The week 3–4 outlook (valid February 26–March 11) favors above-normal temperatures across the Northeast. Odds favor equal chances of above-, below-, or near-normal precipitation for the region, except for far-western New York (which has a greater likelihood of above-normal precipitation).

8–14 Day Temperature Outlook

8–14 Day Precipitation Outlook

Temperature Outlook Week 3–4

Climate Prediction Center week 3-4 temperature outlook for the U.S., from February 26–March 11, 2022. Odds favor above-normal temperatures in the Northeast. — NOAA Climate Prediction Center week 3–4 temperature outlook for the Northeast, showing the probability of above-normal or below-normal conditions from February 26–March 11, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center.

Precipitation Outlook Week 3–4

Climate Prediction Center week 3-4 precipitation outlook for the U.S., from February 26 to March 11, 2022. Odds favor equal chances of above or below normal conditions, except in far-western New York. — NOAA Climate Prediction Center week 3–4 precipitation outlook for the Northeast, showing the probability of above-normal or below-normal conditions from February 26–March 11, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center.

Additional Resources

New Additions to the Northeast DEWS Dashboard and NRCC Website

Other Regional Resources

Northeast DEWS Dashboard
Your local National Weather Service office
NOAA Regional Climate Services Monthly Webinar Series (next webinar is on February 24)
USDA Northeast Climate Hub
USGS New England and New York Water Science Centers

Current Drought-Related Research in the Northeast DEWS

New research led by the University of Vermont on harmful algal blooms found that big coastal storms followed by heat and drought led to the best growth conditions for cyanobacteria.

Contacts for More Information

Sylvia Reeves
Regional Drought Information Coordinator (Northeast DEWS)
NOAA/CIRES/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
Email: sylvia.reeves@noaa.gov

Ellen L. Mecray
Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region
NOAA/NESDIS/National Centers for Environmental Information
Email: Ellen.L.Mecray@noaa.gov

Prepared By

Sylvia Reeves
NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), CIRES

Samantha Borisoff, Jessica Spaccio, Keith Eggleston, Art DeGaetano
Northeast Regional Climate Center

Ellen Mecray
Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region, NOAA

David Hollinger and Maria Janowiak
USDA Climate Hubs

Gardner Bent
USGS New England Water Science Center

In partnership with National Weather Service Offices of the Northeast and State Climate Offices of the Northeast.

Special Thanks

This drought early warning update is issued in partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to communicate concern for drought expansion and intensification within the Northeast U.S. based on recent conditions and the forecasts and outlooks. NIDIS and its partners will issue future Drought Early Warning Updates as conditions evolve.