Drought — Northern Coos, New Hampshire

2021-08-01 to 2021-08-31 · Northern Coos, New Hampshire

Event narrative

In New Hampshire, 1% of the state was in a severe drought D2 across eastern Coos County. The moderate drought conditions D1 across the remainder of northern New Hampshire remained steady at 12% across the remainder of Coos County. For the areas in moderate to severe drought, rainfall was 40-70% of normal for the month.

Temperatures meanwhile were running 4 to 6 degrees above normal, increasing evaporation. Rain from Tropical Cyclone Henri brought little if any relief to areas impacted by drought. The headwaters of the Androscoggin River were most notably impacted during the drought. Reservoir storage declined and were reported at 61.8% full, 14.6% below the long-term average. Flow restrictions were put in place for the upper reservoirs.

Wider weather episode

Drought conditions continued across much of Maine and portions of northern New Hampshire in August. In July the coastal and southern counties received two to three times their normal rainfall, effectively ending drought conditions. The Lakes and Mountains regions received less rainfall averaging 75-125% of normal, effectively keeping a status quo on the severe drought conditions going into August. Above normal temperatures in August increased evaporative demand and allowed drought conditions to expand in eastern Maine. The worst drought conditions were across the headwaters of the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers, with reservoir levels declining. Severe drought (D2) conditions were designated for 14% of Maine over portions of Oxford, Franklin, and Somerset Counties. In New Hampshire, 1% of the state is in a severe drought D2 across eastern Coos County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 976379. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.