Drought — Southern Franklin, Maine

2021-08-01 to 2021-08-31 · Southern Franklin, Maine

Event narrative

Rainfall in August was below normal for most of the region, with above normal rainfall only over southern Maine where drought conditions no longer remain. 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. Rainfall deficits continued for the headwaters of the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin Rivers, where D2 conditions remain. Northern and western Maine groundwater levels continued to recede based on the few well stations in the area. Dry wells have been reported in northern counties, notably in Oxford and Franklin Counties. The USDA Farm Service Agency has received a Secretarial Disaster Designation due to 8 weeks of continued severe drought conditions

in Maine.

Wider weather episode

Drought conditions continued across much of Maine in August 2021. During the month of July the coastal and southern counties received two to three times their normal rainfall, effectively ending drought conditions for those areas. 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 persist in drought areas. 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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 976391. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.