Precipitation was close to normal for most of Massachusetts during January, but below normal over Southeast Massachusetts. Well above normal temperatures allowed for periods of rainfall and snow melt, prompting an increase in river and stream levels, and also reservoir levels. Soils remained thawed during the month, allowing for groundwater recharge.
A Drought Warning remained in effect for most of Massachusetts, with two exceptions. The Drought Status for Northeast Massachusetts was improved to a Drought Watch. A Drought Advisory continued for Cape Cod and the Islands.
Rivers and streams received a boost in January, in large part due to mild conditions that enabled rainfall and periods of snowmelt. By the end of the month, many gaged  rivers and streams were running at normal levels. Reservoirs monitored by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), were mainly at normal to below normal levels with some recovery noted.

Drought in EASTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 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 January 3, then reduced the designation to Severe Drought (D2) through January 24. The designation was reduced to Moderate Drought (D1) on January 24.

Drought in WESTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 Hampshire County through the month of January.

Drought in WESTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 Hampden County through the month of January.

Drought in EASTERN HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 January 24, then reduced the designation to Severe Drought (D2) through the end of the month.

Drought in SOUTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

A portion of southern Worcester County including Worcester and Sturbridge remained in the Severe Drought (D2) designation until January 24 when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in WESTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 Western Norfolk County until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in SUFFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in EASTERN NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in NORTHERN BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 extreme northeast Bristol County until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in WESTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 western Plymouth County until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in EASTERN PLYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 Plymouth County until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in NORTHWEST MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 January 3. The designation was then reduced to Severe Drought (D2), which continued through the end of the month.

Drought in NORTHERN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 January 3.  A Severe Drought (D2) designation then covered the region through January 24.  Eastern sections such as Leominster were reduced to Moderate Drought (D1) at that time, while northern and western sections remained at Severe Drought through the end of the month.

Drought in SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 Southeast Middlesex County until January 24, when it was reduced to the Moderate Drought (D1) designation.

Drought in EASTERN HAMPDEN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 end of the month. On January 31 the the designation in the area east of Springfield was reduced to Severe Drought (D2).

Drought in WESTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 southwestern Franklin County through the month of January.

Drought in EASTERN FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 31-JAN-17 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 January. The U.S. Drought Monitor had extreme Drought (D3) in the vicinity of Leverett and Shutesbury until January 3, then Severe Drought (D2) for the remainder of the month.

Drought in WESTERN MIDDLESEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 01-JAN-17 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 January 3.  This designation was reduced to Severe Drought (D2) at that time, and this continued through January 24. On January 24 the designation was reduced to Moderate Drought (D1).

Drought in WESTERN ESSEX, MASSACHUSETTS
From 01-JAN-17 00:00:00 to 24-JAN-17 00:00:00 (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 January 3, then reduced it to a Severe Drought (D2) designation through January 24. The designation was then reduced to Moderate Drought (D1) on January 24.