Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions across New England

Most of Massachusetts and New Hampshire are experiencing abnormally dry conditions and moderate droughts, according to the US Drought Monitor.

Most droughts occur when the regular weather patterns are interrupted, causing disruption to the water cycle.

Moderate Drought and Abnormally Dry conditions have expanded slightly across parts of MA, with a larger area now under a Moderate Drought in NH. Still waiting on a decent soaking rain! pic.twitter.com/fmq8WJ9mAr
— Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) July 7, 2022

A map released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor showed that 75.6 percent of the state was in moderate drought on July 7. In those conditions, there’s an increased risk of fires and stunted crop growth.

“Following lower than normal rainfall this spring, the department announced that conditions have deteriorated in many regions of the state and declared a Level 2 Significant Drought in the Northeast and Southeast Regions, a Level 1 Mild Drought in the Connecticut River Valley, the Central and Islands Regions,” stated the US Drought Monitor website on July 7.