Drought in Coastal Hancock, Maine

A lack of rainfall along coastal Hancock county led to drying conditions through the summer. Conditions were classified as Abnormally Dry ( D0 ) starting in early August. Conditions then steadily worsened through the month...reaching Severe Drought ( D2 ) categorization on the 19th. Severe Drought conditions then persisted through the remainder of August...continuing into September.

The June through August convective season was characterized by convective events which generally remained well north of the Downeast coastal region. Convection which reached the Downeast coastal region was often only the weakening remnants of more significant thunderstorms which had originated to the north and west. This convection generally brought only relatively light localized rains to the Downeast coast through the summer. In some instances...convection entirely dissipated before reaching the Downeast coast. Stratiform rain events were limited through the summer...generally producing only light rain totals. This was the 3rd driest summer on record for the Bangor region...located slightly north of the Downeast coastal region. Some areas received less than 50 percent of their normal summer rainfall.

The lack of rainfall led to drying conditions through the summer. Abnormally Dry ( D0 ) conditions developed along the Downeast coast during early August. Conditions worsened through the remainder of August...made worse by a heat wave from the 10th to the 13th. Record high temperatures occurred with this heat wave in some locations. Severe Drought ( D2 ) conditions developed along the Downeast coast shortly after mid-month...which then persisted through the end of the month.

As the drought worsened stream flow...lake levels and shallow groundwater all declined. The lack of rainfall led to increasing stress on vegetation and agriculture. This led to the increasing use of irrigation to support crops. Increased irrigation contributed to declines in both pond levels and shallow groundwater. Crop yields were reduced due to the worsening drought.

At months end surface streamflow in most locations was at below normal levels to varying extents. Some locations were approaching all time low flows for August. Some wells were reported dry at months end. The lack of water also led to increased stress on both domesticated livestock and wildlife. Drying of vegetation and fuels led to an increasing wildfire threat. Severe drought conditions persisted through the remainder of August...continuing into September.