July brought the start of drought conditions in parts of southern New England.  Much of the water year was wrought with below normal precipitation for much, if not all of the region.  December of 2015 and February of 2016 saw normal to slightly above normal numbers but this was not enough to overcome the deficits in the other 10 months.  Taking the year as a whole (October 2015-September 2016) all of southern New England is at least ten to fifteen inches below normal for precipitation.  The one exception is Nantucket, which is less than five inches below normal.  Most of the area is at least fifteen inches below normal for the water year.
Despite the precipitation deficits, the U.S. Drought Monitor (a collaboration between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Weather Service) did not declare a severe drought in southern New England until July 2016.
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Enviornmental Affairs issued a drought watch for the northeast and central portions of the state and a drought advisory for southeast Massachusetts and the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts on July 8th.  Soil moisture (measured by the Climate Prediction Center) and groundwater conditions (measured by the United States Geological Survey) were found to be abnormally dry or much 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 July 8th and seventeen gage sites were at record low levels.
While no direct agricultural impacts were reported for the month of July, farmers were having to irrigate their crops much more than is normal for July.
An unusual result of the dry conditions that persisted through the first half of the year was the thriving gypsy moth population.  These caterpillars are usually killed by a fungus earlier in the year, but with a lack of rain and moisture, these caterpillars thrived and then decimated tree foliage in much of southern New England.

Drought in WESTERN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 Middlesex County on July 5th.

Drought in NORTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 northern Worcester County on July 5th.  The Pine Hill Reservoir in Holden was down to 60 percent of its capacity as of July 30th.  It is one of 10 reservoirs the city of Worcester relies on for its water supply and was pressed into service early because other reservoirs are down as much if not more.

Drought in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 Essex County on July 5th.

Drought in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 Essex County on July 5th.

Drought in EASTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 Hampshire County on July 5th.  Potato vines were starting to show drought stress. Corn crops were also showing signs of stunted growth and dry conditions.  Pastures were showing signs of stress.

Drought in NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
From 05-JUL-16 07:00:00 to 31-JUL-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 northwestern Middlesex County on July 5th.