Maine drought expands to cover nearly half the state

Nearly 46% of Maine is currently experiencing at least severe drought conditions as a months-long dry spell continues. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, while the entire state has faced moderate drought for several weeks, the area under severe designation has increased from 19% last week to nearly half the state.

Approximately 5% of the state, specifically parts of coastal Maine, is facing extreme drought. While a large new zone in northern Maine—including most of Aroostook County and parts of Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties—has been moved to the severe drought category, the extreme drought area in southern and Midcoast Maine has slightly decreased.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that Maine requires between 9 and 11 inches of rain within a single month to break the drought. The National Weather Service has reported that water levels are approaching record lows and groundwater levels remain below normal.