Drought in Southern Coos, New Hampshire

Coos County averaged 2.45 inches of precipitation in December, approximately 0.7 inches below normal. Snowfall in the White Mountains expanded to near normal depths, but deep groundwater sources saw minimal to no recharge. The USDM on December 30th had 88% of the county in Severe Drought (D2). Demand for replacement wells in the region remained high, with drillers reporting a four-month backlog.

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.