Drought — Belknap, New Hampshire

2025-12-01 to 2025-12-31 · Belknap, New Hampshire

Event narrative

Belknap County averaged 1.85 inches of precipitation in December, which is approximately 2.1 inches below normal. The rainfall deficits since July grew to over 9 inches, maintaining its status as the 2nd driest July'December stretch on record. Lake Winnipesaukee hit below normal levels in December, forcing further restrictions on downstream flows into the Winnipesaukee River. The USDM on December 30th showed 100% of the county in Severe Drought (D2), with 12% in the southern sector entering Extreme Drought (D3).

Wider weather episode

December 2025 saw the state's hydrological recovery stalled by below-normal precipitation and the seasonal ground freeze. As winter took hold and frozen ground effectively halted any potential for significant groundwater recharge. Seasonal snowfall provided a surface-level coating across the state, the moisture content of the snowpack remained below normal, outside of the White Mountains and insufficient to offset the substantial long-term deficits carried over from the summer and autumn. Hydrological recovery remained at a standstill, with streamflows below normal. While surface soil moisture had seen modest gains in November, the lack of substantial December rain meant that groundwater levels remained much-below normal for the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1301963. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.