According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormal dryness and drought conditions continue to impact about 57% of Maine, focused primarily over the southern half of the state.  The southwestern coast from York County to Penobscot Bay has been most impacted and is currently ranked in severe drought. Moderate drought persists across more inland areas and to the east across Mount Desert Island. The affected areas are seeing dry soils and below normal or much below normal streamflows and groundwater levels. The Maine Dry Well Survey has received 63 reports so far this year, with more than half of the dry wells being in Cumberland, York, Kennebec, and Lincoln counties. A summary of agricultural impacts can be found in the most recent report by the Maine Drought Task Force. Additional drought information can be found on the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard.

For some good news, widespread rainfall August 17–18 delivered 1–2 inches or more across much of the drought affected areas – though much less precipitation fell in the hard-hit Midcoast region. This rainfall will help increase soil moisture and stream flows, but little improvement if any can be expected for the southwest coast where there are still several inches of precipitation deficit for this time of year.