Drought Early Warning Update for the Northeast

Northeast Drought Early Warning Update

August 25, 2023

Drought Early Warning Update for the

Northeast

Autumn Approaches With Little Drought In Sight

Key Points

Moderate Drought (D1) and some surrounding Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions remain in western New York. Lingering Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions also remain in portions of western Long Island.
According to the US Drought Monitor, the New England states are free of drought and abnormal dryness.
Since mid-July, some farming communities have experienced "weather whiplash" with only a few weeks between a need for irrigation and too much rain.
Some agricultural interests are now in need of warmer and drier conditions for harvest.
Rain is expected throughout the region for the rest of this week, so stream flows and remaining dryness should improve in most locations.
As we move toward the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season in mid-September, Northeast states should monitor the Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook from the National Hurricane Center. Currently, a seasonally typical increase in activity has begun.

New Groundwater Percentile Graphs have been added to the NE DEWS Dashboard. As we approach our "normally drier time of the year," use these graphs to track groundwater for selected sites in your area as the late summer and fall seasons begin. Source: Northeast Regional Climate Center.

The rest of this drought update, including current conditions, outlooks, and impacts, is available online.

Access the Full Drought Update

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.

This covers the following states in the Northeast U.S.: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York.

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

Additional Resources

Northeast DEWS Dashboard
NOAA Regional Climate Services
Your local National Weather Service office
NOAA Regional Climate Services Monthly Webinar Series (the next webinar is August 31st)
USDA Northeast Climate Hub
USGS New England and New York Water Science Centers
Sign up for the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network listserv

NEW THIS MONTH

Prepared By

Sylvia Reeves

NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

Samantha Borisoff, Jessica Spaccio, Keith Eggleston, Natalie Umphlett, Art DeGaetano

Northeast Regional Climate Center

Ellen Mecray

Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region, NOAA

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.

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