Precipitation was below normal for most of Massachusetts during December, but with areas of above normal amounts along the North Shore and around Quabbin Reservoir in Central Massachusetts.  Amounts in Southeast Massachusetts were near 2 inches below normal while Amherst was near 1 inch above normal.
A Drought Warning remains in effect for most of Massachusetts. A Drought Advisory continued for Cape Cod and the Islands.
Although rivers and streams had some fluctuations during the month, they were predominantly at below normal levels during December. Reservoirs monitored by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), were mainly at below normal levels.

Drought in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in Suffolk County through the month of December.

Drought in EASTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in Eastern Norfolk County through the month of December.

Drought in NORTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

On December 13, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed the eastern half of Northern Bristol County in a Severe Drought (D2) designation.  On December 20, this designation was reduced to cover just the extreme northeast part of the zone, which continued through the remainder of the month.

Drought in WESTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor had a Severe Drought (D2) designation in western Franklin County through the month of December.

Drought in EASTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor had a Severe Drought (D2) designation for much of eastern Franklin County through the month of December. The U.S. Drought Monitor had extreme Drought (D3) in the vicinity of Leverett and Shutesbury.

Drought in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation for western Essex County through the month of December.

Drought in NORTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation for most of northern Worcester County through the month of December.  A Severe Drought (D2) designation covered the extreme northwest part of the county.

Drought in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation for eastern Essex County through the month of December.

Drought in EASTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in eastern Hampshire County through the month of December.

Drought in WESTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation for Western Hampshire County through the month of December.  An Extreme Drought (D3) designation in the southeast portion on December 1 was reduced to the Severe Drought designation on December 20.

Drought in WESTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in western Hampshire County through the month of December.

Drought in SOUTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

A small portion of the northern portion of Southern Worcester County, in the Northborough/Southborough area, continued in an Extreme Drought (D3) designation through the month of December.  An adjacent portion extending west from Grafton through Sturbridge continued in a Severe Drought (D2) designation through the month.

Drought in WESTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

On December 13, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed Western Plymouth County in a Severe Drought (D2) designation.  This continued through the end of the month.

Drought in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

On December 13, the U.S. Drought Monitor increased the designation for eastern Plymouth County to Severe Drought (D2). This continued through the end of the month.

Drought in EASTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in eastern Hampden County through the month of December.

Drought in WESTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Severe Drought (D2) designation in the northern part of Western Norfolk County.  On December 13 this designation was expanded to cover all but the extreme west portion of the zone.

Drought in SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation in southeast Middlesex County through the month of December.

Drought in SOUTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

On December 13, the U.S. Drought Monitor increased the designation for the eastern part of Southern Bristol County to Severe Drought (D2). On December 20, this designation was reduced to Moderate Drought (D1).

Drought in SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

On December 13, the U.S. Drought Monitor increased the designation for southern Plymouth County to Severe Drought (D2).  On December 20, the designation was reduced to Moderate Drought (D1).  This continued through the end of the month.

Drought in NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation for northwest Middlesex County through the month of December.

Drought in WESTERN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-DEC-16 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-16 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor continued the Extreme Drought (D3) designation for western Middlesex County through the month of December.