Drought — Central Piscataquis, Maine

2025-09-01 to 2025-09-30 · Central Piscataquis, Maine

Event narrative

A lack of rainfall in central Piscataquis county led to prolonged drying conditions in September. Conditions began as Moderate Drought (D1) in late August, and worsened to Severe Drought (D2) by the end of September. Drought continued into October.

Wider weather episode

Drought in northern and central Maine persisted throughout September, as precipitation deficits continued and/or worsened throughout the month. Overall, northern and central Maine had a 1-2 inch precipitation deficit by the end of September, with northern Maine only reporting about 1-2 inches of rain throughout the month, and central and Downeast Maine only reporting about 2-3 inches of rain. There was not any significant severe weather to alleviate drought conditions throughout the month. In terms of the drought severity, at the end of August, the North Woods region was not under drought. Central and eastern Aroostook, alongside northern Piscataquis, Somerset, and Penobscot, were abnormally dry. Central Maine and Downeast were in moderate drought, and coastal Downeast was in severe drought. By September 2nd, severe drought expanded up into central Maine, and the interior Downeast. By the end of September, severe drought extended through central Maine in the Penobscot region, interior Downeast, and Washington county's coastal area. Lastly, Hancock county's coastline upgraded to extreme drought conditions by the end of the month.

Impacts from the drought were unusually low rivers and streams affecting recreation, increased reports of dry wells, and a 35% reduction in crop harvest. Fire weather was also unusually active and required increased monitoring from Maine Forest Service and other land management agencies.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294325. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.