Drought in Knox, Maine

The USDM on April 28 had 85% of Knox County in Severe Drought (D2), but by the end of May severe drought was completely cleared (0%), leaving only 6% in Moderate Drought (D1) and 94% in Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions. May rainfall averaged 6.11 inches, well above normal by 2.47'. However, one wet May wasn't enough to wipe out extended long-term shortfalls: the 10-month period ending May 2026 still ranked as the 7th driest on record, leaving the area with a multi-month precipitation deficit around 10 inches.

Significant short-term drought relief was observed across Maine in May 2026, highlighted by a mid-May soaking rain that markedly improved drought categories in the mountains and foothills. In the single week ending May 19, the state's Severe Drought (D2) coverage fell from 11% to 2.2%. While this spring precipitation effectively mitigated immediate agricultural and hydrological impacts'replenishing topsoil moisture, restoring streamflows, and bringing surface water storage like lakes and reservoirs back to near-normal seasonal baselines'long-term deficits endure. Deep groundwater aquifers are slower to react, leaving deep water table levels substantially below historical averages due to these ongoing groundwater deficits.