Drought — Northern Coos, New Hampshire

2021-10-01 to 2021-10-31 · Northern Coos, New Hampshire

Event narrative

Less than 1% of the state remained in a severe drought (D2) in far eastern Coos County and the headwaters of the Androscoggin River. The moderate drought conditions (D1) remained around 3% of the state, focused again across eastern Coos County. The abnormally dry (D0) across central counties including the White Mountains region was reduced from 21% areal coverage to 12% due to upslope influence on precipitation. The Connecticut River recorded below average flows from the headwaters to the Sugar River confluence. Overall rivers in southern New Hampshire reported near to above normal discharges, in central New Hampshire they were near normal, while in the north they remained at or below the 30th percentile. Record low streamflows were observed in the upper Androscoggin.

Wider weather episode

The drought classification of severe drought (D2) remained relatively unchanged in October for northern New Hampshire. Rainfall amounts were near to below normal for the month, however the transition to fall reduced stress on the system with less evaporative and vegetation water losses. Overall drought conditions improved for all but portions of northern Coos County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 990340. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.