Drought — Coastal Cumberland, Maine

2022-09-01 to 2022-09-30 · Coastal Cumberland, Maine

Event narrative

On August 30th drought monitor, Cumberland County was 33% in severe drought, 26% moderate drought, and 41% abnormally dry. By the end of the month, 14% of the county was in moderate drought and 36% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, with most of the county receiving between 3 to 6 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell at Bridgton with 9.16 inches for the month, with 2.21 inches falling on the 5th. A USDA Disaster Designation for drought was applied to Cumberland County.

Wider weather episode

According to the September 1st, 2022 release of the United States Drought Monitor,

84% of the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Gray Maine County Warning Area (CWA) experienced drought conditions. Roughly 38% of the area was under moderate drought conditions. Approximately 15% of the area was in severe drought, focusing along coastal New Hampshire and Maine. Around 1% of the area experienced extreme drought along the Massachusetts and New Hampshire state line. Rainfall in August reduced drought severity and coverage in Maine with little impact in New Hampshire. By the end of September rainfall was above normal for the entire region, doubling the averages in some locations. The rainfall brought welcome relief to drought-stricken areas of Maine and New Hampshire and supported a one to two category improvement to the drought designations since the beginning of the month. Apart from a very small geographic area along the New Hampshire and Massachusetts Stateline, the severe drought conditions were downgraded. According to the September 27th, 2022, release of the United States Drought Monitor, 37% of the area experienced abnormally dry conditions. Roughly 15% of the area was under moderate drought conditions, and another 0.35% of the area was in severe drought. Streamflow's were variable during the month, but overall streamflow's were near to above normal.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1057571. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.