Drought Status Update for the Northeast

Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) Drought in Southern New England Is Reduced by Labor Day Weekend Rainfall.

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

Key Points

Extreme drought (D3) coverage was reduced in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Areas experiencing severe (D2) and moderate (D1) drought showed improvement across southern New England, Maine, and western New York; however, little improvement was seen in central Vermont, southern New Hampshire, Long Island, and some of the counties just north of New York City and around Boston.
Groundwater response (a lagging hydrological indicator) will be monitored in anticipation of much needed improvements.

U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions: Northeast | September 6, 2022

U.S. Drought Monitor

Current U.S. Drought Monitor map for the Northeast Drought Early Warning System with data valid for September 6, 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:

Extreme drought (D3) conditions exist in 0.90% of the region.
Severe drought (D2) conditions exist in 13.59% of the region.
Moderate drought (D1) conditions exist in 14.97% of the region.
Abnormally dry (D0) conditions exist in 39.73% of the region.

Source(s): NDMC, NOAA, USDA

U.S. Drought Monitor Categories

Last Updated: 09/06/22

14.97%

of the Northeast is in Moderate Drought (D1)

13.59%

of the Northeast is in Severe Drought (D2)

0.90%

of the Northeast is in Extreme Drought (D3)

Current Conditions

U.S. Drought Monitor 1-Week Change Map

From August 30 to September 6, parts of the Northeast saw a 1 category improvement; elsewhere, drought conditions remained unchanged. — U.S. Drought Monitor change map, showing where drought and dryness have improved or worsened from August 30–September 6, 2022. Source: National Drought Mitigation Center.

Accumulated Precipitation Departure from Normal

Precipitation deficits at locations across the Northeast were reduced as a result of Labor Day Weekend rain. — Departure from normal precipitation (inches) for Portland Area, ME (*blue*), Boston Area, MA* (*black*), Providence Area, RI (*light green*), Islip Area, NY (*orange*), Hartford Area, CT (*purple*), Worcester Area, MA (*red*), Albany Area, NY (*yellow*), and Binghamton Area, NY (*dark green*). Source ACIS.

*With a departure of over 10 inches prior to the rain event, the rain Boston received did little to improve conditions there.

Labor Day Weekend Precipitation Totals and Departure Changes

Many areas in the Northeast received precipitation from September 4-6 that reduced their year-to-date deficit, including Bridgeport (2.6 inches), Hartford (3.94 inches), Binghamton (3.64 inches), and Providence (3.77 inches). — In just one weekend, precipitation departures (in inches) were reduced in many parts of the region. Table from the Northeast Region Climate Center at Cornell University

Explore the CoCoRaHS mapping system's precipitation reports by date or date range to visualize precipitation events in our region or across the county.

State-Reported Impacts

New England

August 31, 2022: AP News – Drought and Silver Linings

Connecticut

September 8, 2022 – Water Planning Council Update
September 6, 2022: Hartford Courant – Rain and Flooding Disrupt Drought but at a Cost
September 2, 2022: The Register Citizen – Candlewood Lake Low Water Levels
September 1, 2022: Fox61 – Eversource Concerned about Drought-Impacted Trees and Powerlines
August 30, 2022: The Day – Norwich Public Utilities Drought Warning
August 29, 2022: FOX61 – Farm Gets Creative to Survive Drought
August 28, 2022: Newstimes – Boat Wakes and Erosion During Drought
August 27, 2022: Hartford Courant – Water Restrictions

Maine

Drought Task Force reports
September 8, 2022 Dry Well Survey – Eighty-Seven Dry Well Reports So Far This Year
August 31, 2022: Governor Announces Specialty Crop Funding, supporting wild blueberry growers
August 30, 2022: NBC News Center Maine – Blueberry Farms Turn to Irrigation

Massachusetts

Boston Reservoir Status
September 8, 2022 State Drought Status
September 8, 2022 Boston.com – Rains Were Helpful, But...
September 3, 2022 The Boston Globe – Building Foundations Can Be Threatened By Drought
Additional background on low groundwater levels and the impact on structures in Boston can be found at Boston Groundwater Trust.
August 30, 2022: Spectrum News1 – COVID, Drought - Rats!
August 30, 2022: Western MassNEWS – Fewer Mosquitoes
August 29, 2022: The Sun – Bears, Moose, and Deer
August 26, 2022: WWLP.com – Drought and Early Fall Foliage
August 26, 2022: CBS News Boston – Drought Worsens Rodent Problems
August 26, 2022: Greenfield Recorder – An Exceptional River Even in Drought

New Hampshire

Department of Environmental Services Drought Management Website
August 25, 2022: New Hampshire Bulletin – Dry Wells and Wildfires Brought on by Deepening Drought

New York

NYC Reservoir Levels
Current Drought Conditions
September 7, 2022: DEC Wildland Fire Report – Dutchess, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties (updated)
September 6, 2022: New York Focus – Heatflation
September 2, 2022: NBC 4 New York – Long Island Water Emergency
September 1, 2022: Suffolk County Water Authority – Stage 1 Water Emergency Extended to All Customers
August 29, 2022: DEC Wildland Fire Reports – Franklin, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties

Rhode Island

September 7, 2022: Current Drought Level: Advisory
September 6, 2022: The Washington Post – Floods Put a Dent in Drought
August 29, 2022: Newport Daily News – Onions, Clams, Christmas Trees Struggling
August 26, 2022: EcoRI News – Brushfire Frequency This Summer

Streamflow at the U.S. Geological Survey Moshassuck River streamgage (01114000) at Providence, RI on July 26, 2022 at 12:00 pm of 10.2 cubic feet/second (cfs) - left photo and on September 6, 2022 of 620 cfs - right photo. Both photos are looking at the concrete weir about 20 ft downstream of the streamgage. Drainage area is 23.1 square miles. Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey. — The U.S. Geological Survey Moshassuck River streamgage (01114000) at Providence, RI, with a streamflow of 10.2 cubic feet/second (cfs) on July 26, 2022 at 12:00 pm (*left photo*) and 620 cfs on September 6, 2022 (*right photo*). Both photos are looking at the concrete weir about 20 feet downstream of the streamgage. Drainage area is 23.1 square miles. Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey.

Vermont

September 1, 2022: Burlington Free Press – Low Water Levels Make Recreation on VT Rivers and Lakes More Difficult
August 24, 2022: Western MassNEWS – Vermont Farms Deal With Drought

Outlooks

According to the Climate Prediction Center's 8–14 day outlook (valid September 9–15, 2022), there is a greater likelihood of above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation across the Northeast.
The week 3–4 outlook (valid September 17–30, 2022) shows a greater likelihood of above-normal temperatures throughout the Northeast. Odds favor below-normal precipitation in western New York, with equal chances of above- or below-normal precipitation in the rest of the region.

8–14 Day Temperature Outlook

From September 9–15, odds favor above-normal temperatures across the Northeast. — NOAA Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day temperature outlook for the Northeast, showing the probability of above-normal, below-normal, or normal conditions from September 9–15, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center via the Northeast DEWS Dashboard.

8–14 Day Precipitation Outlook

From September 9-15, odds favor near-normal precipitation for the entire Northeast. — NOAA Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day precipitation outlook for the Northeast, showing the probability of above-normal, below-normal, or normal conditions from September 9–15, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center via the Northeast DEWS Dashboard.

Temperature Outlook Week 3–4

From September 17–30, 2022, odds favor above-normal temperatures for the entire Northeast. — NOAA Climate Prediction Center week 3–4 temperature outlook for the Northeast, showing the probability of above-normal or below-normal conditions from September 17–30, 2022. Issued September 2, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center.

Precipitation Outlook Week 3–4

From September 17-30, 2022, there are equal chances of above- and below-normal precipitation across most of the Northeast. Odds favor below-normal conditions in 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 September 17–30, 2022. Issued September 2, 2022. Source: Climate Prediction Center.

Register for the Northeast DEWS Partners Meeting: Please register for the Northeast DEWS Partners Meeting to be held on November 1–2 in Glen Falls, New York at the Queensbury Hotel and Conference Center. This is the first in-person gathering of the Northeast Drought Early Warning System partners since 2017. This regional gathering will feature opportunities to share and discuss ongoing drought-related activities, learn about new and innovative drought research and resources, explore emerging issues and opportunities, and identify collaborative paths forward that advance drought early warning and preparedness in the region.

What We Are Watching

After a slow start to the hurricane season, the Atlantic has become more active. Learn more via NOAA's National Hurricane Center.

Delaware

September 2, 2022: Cape Gazette – Corn and Soy Harvest Damage

New Jersey

August 31, 2022: Asbury Park Press – Christmas Tree Shortage?
August 29, 2022: New Jersey 101.5 – Forest Fire Danger

Pennsylvania

September 2, 2022: The Standard-Journal – PA American Water Urges Conservation
September 2, 2022: WNEP – State Park Beach Closed: Low Water Levels
September 2, 2022: Current Drought Status for the state

Featured Resources

The Biden Administration announced the launch of a new portal to help communities assess exposure to climate hazards – including drought.
The Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) portal is now live at https://resilience.climate.gov/.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Climate Change and Health Outlook
Dry Times – The bi-weekly NIDIS newsletter focuses on global drought in this edition.

Additional Resources

Look back at previous Northeast DEWS Drought Status Updates
Your local National Weather Service office
NOAA Regional Climate Services Monthly Webinar Series (next webinar is on September 29)
USDA Northeast Climate Hub
USGS New England and New York Water Science Centers

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
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 status 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 status updates as conditions evolve.