August brought more dry weather and continued drought conditions to much of southern New England. By the end of the month, most, if not all of Massachusetts was in a drought designation. For many, the drought began in July 2016. At this point, this is a drought categorized largely by well below normal precipitation and groundwater and agricultural impacts. Most of the region experienced below normal rainfall during the month of August. Much of eastern Massachusetts south of Boston, received less than half the normal amount of rainfall for the month. The exception was southern Worcester County where above normal rainfall was experienced. However, this additional rainfall did little to dispel drought conditions. Boston experienced its driest meteorological summer (June/July/August) on record with only 3.92 inches of rainfall. The previous record was 3.97 inches in 1957.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued a drought warning for the northeast and central portions of the state, a drought watch for southeast Massachusetts and the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts, and a drought advisory for western Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands on August 12th. This was an upgrade for each region from July. Of note: this is the first time a Drought Warning has been in effect for any portion of Massachusetts since the original creation of the state's drought plan in 2001. Soil moisture (measured by the Climate Prediction Center) was abnormally dry, except across east coastal Massachusetts where conditions were found to be excessively dry. Groundwater conditions (measured by the United States Geological Survey) were found to be below to well below normal for most of Massachusetts. Cape Cod and the Islands were at or above normal at this time. River and streamflow conditions were below to well below normal with 27 gage sites in southern New England at record low levels.
Farmers have had to irrigate their crops much more than normal for August. Losses were started to be reported by producers in the Connecticut River valley area of Massachusetts. In addition, sources of irrigation have been dwindling. Many communities in central and eastern Massachusetts have imposed mandatory non-essential outdoor water use restrictions.

Drought in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 23-AUG-16 07:00:00 to 31-AUG-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into eastern Plymouth County on August 23rd.

Drought in SOUTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 23-AUG-16 07:00:00 to 31-AUG-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into southern Bristol County on August 23rd.

Drought in SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 23-AUG-16 07:00:00 to 31-AUG-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into southern Plymouth County on August 23rd.

Drought in WESTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 23-AUG-16 07:00:00 to 31-AUG-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor expanded the Severe Drought (D2) designation into western Plymouth County on August 23rd, continuing through August 30th.  It was upgraded to an Extreme Drought (D3) designation at that time, which continued through the end of August.