Drought conditions developed across Maine and New Hampshire in August 2022. According to the August 2nd, 2022 release of the United States Drought Monitor, 76% of the National Weather Service Weather (NWS) Forecast Office Gray Maine (WFO GYX) County Warning Area (CWA) experienced drought conditions. Roughly 76% of the area was under moderate drought conditions. Approximately 18% of the area was in severe drought focused along coastal Maine. By the August 30th drought monitor 38% of the area was experiencing drought. Roughly 15 percent was in severe drought, and 1 percent was experiencing extreme drought along the shared border with Massachusetts.
The drought was the result of a combination of factors. For portions of northern New Hampshire and western Maine, long term drought conditions defined by reduced groundwater and lake levels carried over from 2021. For most areas, winter failed to deliver the expected amount of snowfall with snowpacks well below normal by spring. Most areas received near normal precipitation in the course of the winter season, though in central and southern counties it frequently fell as rain due to warm temperatures. Overall, the seasonal snowpack was 1 to 3 feet below normal.  If one combines the snowfall deficits from the winter 20-21 and 21-22, the departures are 4 to 7 feet below normal.
The spring thaw arrived approximately 2 to 4 weeks early, resulting in an earlier than normal discharge along area waterways. The rest of spring lacked the typical rain frequency resulting in below average precipitation for most are as in April and May. Rainfall deficits began in the spring across central and southern counties, however the drying of surface water accelerated in mid June when temperatures began to warm and water demands grew. Most of southern Maine and New Hampshire received one to two inches below normal rainfall in June. In July, below normal rainfall, from 50% to 75% of normal, were common across southern Maine though spotty storm activity led to wide distributions in these areas. Temperatures meanwhile soared, with southern areas 4-5��F above normal. Subsequently, evaporation losses exceeded precipitation amounts resulting in a net loss in surface water.

Drought in CENTRAL INTERIOR CUMBERLAND, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Cumberland County was 56% in severe drought and 44% moderate drought. By the end of the month, 33% of the county was in severe drought, 26% in moderate drought, and 41% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, notably on the 22nd where areas received up to 4 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell at the Portland Jetport with 5.63 inches for the month.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in COASTAL CUMBERLAND, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Cumberland County was 56% in severe drought and 44% moderate drought. By the end of the month, 33% of the county was in severe drought, 26% in moderate drought, and 41% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, notably on the 22nd where areas received up to 4 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell at the Portland Jetport with 5.63 inches for the month.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in INTERIOR CUMBERLAND HIGHLANDS, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Cumberland County was 56% in severe drought and 44% moderate drought. By the end of the month, 33% of the county was in severe drought, 26% in moderate drought, and 41% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, notably on the 22nd where areas received up to 4 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell at the Portland Jetport with 5.63 inches for the month.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in ANDROSCOGGIN, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Androscoggin County was 24% in severe drought and 66% in moderate drought. By the end of the month, 9% of the county was in severe drought, 26% in moderate drought, and 64% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall. The rainfall for the month ranged from 3 to 5 inches.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in SAGADAHOC, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Sagadahoc County was 100% in severe drought. By the end of the month, 59% of the county was in severe drought and 41% in moderate drought. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, however most of the county observed below average amounts under 3 inches.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in LINCOLN, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Lincoln County was 100% in severe drought. By the end of the month, 58% of the county was in severe drought and 42% in moderate drought. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall with most areas receiving between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in INTERIOR WALDO, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Waldo County was 18% in severe drought and 82% moderate drought. By the end of the month, 6% of the county was in severe drought and 88% in moderate drought. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall with most areas receiving between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in COASTAL WALDO, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, Waldo County was 18% in severe drought and 82% moderate drought. By the end of the month, 6% of the county was in severe drought and 88% in moderate drought. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall with most areas receiving between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in INTERIOR YORK, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, York County was 66% in severe drought and 34% in moderate drought. By the end of the month, 2% of the county was in severe drought, 70% in moderate drought, and 27% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, notably on the 22nd where areas received up to 6 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell in Hollis with 9.12 inches for the month.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.

Drought in COASTAL YORK, MAINE
From 01-AUG-22 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-22 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: State Official

On the August 2nd drought monitor, York County was 66% in severe drought and 34% in moderate drought. By the end of the month, 2% of the county was in severe drought, 70% in moderate drought, and 27% abnormally dry. The improved designations were the result of scattered heavy rainfall, notably on the 22nd where areas received up to 6 inches. The highest accumulated rainfall for the month fell in Hollis with 9.12 inches for the month.
The state of Maine activated its Drought Task Force in July 2022. Several towns instituted voluntary water restrictions. Hydro operators balanced needs of lake levels, hydroelectric power generation needs, and the discharges to maintain stream flow needs downstream. Most of the reported water quantity issues were from southern and coastal areas. Farmers without irrigation experienced stressed vegetation from a lack of rain and above normal temperatures in July. First-cut hay crop was near normal, but subsequent hay growth was slowed. Most streamflow stations in central and southern rivers with 30+ years of record were between the 10th-25th percentiles compared to normal.