Drought Information Statement for Northern and Eastern Maine Valid September 4, 2025 Issued By: WFO Caribou, ME This product will be updated September 11, 2025 or sooner, if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/car/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/car for regional drought status updates. Severe Drought expands to all of the Downeast, Bangor Region into the Central Highlands. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Maine Drought Intensity and Extent: D2 (Severe Drought): Much of Washington County, All of Hancock County, Southern & Central Penobscot County and Southern Piscataquis County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Narrow areas of Central Piscataquis, Central Penobscot counties, far Northern Washington County and far Southern Aroostook County. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Northern Somerset, Northern Piscataquis, Northern Penobscot and Southern & Northeast Aroostook counties. Percentage of Maine in Drought D0: (Abnormally Dry): 24.23% D1 (Moderate Drought): 9.73% D2 (Severe Drought): 52.94% Estimated Population in Drought Areas: 1,185,388 Manually update the numbers… Remember USDM #s is D0-D4, D1-D4, D2-D4, D3-D4 https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?Northeast https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?ME https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/png/20250819/20250819_me_text.png Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Northeast U.S. Four week drought monitor class change: Drought Worsened: Interior Downeast Maine, Bangor region and much of the Central Highlands. Dry Conditions Worsened: Moosehead Region & Baxter Region and Southern/Eastern Aroostook County. No Change: North Woods & Western St. John Valley. https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/chng/png/current/current_ME_chng_4W.png Precipitation Soaking rainfall across northern areas was beneficial for groundwater recharge and streamflows. Elsewhere, mainly isolated to scattered showers provided limited rainfall. A couple recent events provided some rainfall, but significant 30-60 day deficits remain. Total precipitation over the past 30 days Percent of normal precipitation for the past 30 days Link to Northeast Regional Climate Center https://hprcc.unl.edu/products/maps/acis/nrcc/30dPDataNRCC.png https://hprcc.unl.edu/products/maps/acis/nrcc/30dPDeptNRCC.png Link to Northeast Regional Climate Center Temperature Temperature departure from normal over the past 7 days Temperature departure from normal over the past 30 days 7 day trends have featured near to slightly below normal temperatures across much of the area. 30 day trends have been near to slightly above normal for most locations. https://hprcc.unl.edu/products/maps/acis/nrcc/7dPDeptNRCC.png https://hprcc.unl.edu/products/maps/acis/nrcc/30dTDeptNRCC.png Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts The majority of streamflows across the service area have fallen to within the “Below” to “Much Below Normal” percentile. (USGS) A few sites approaching or at record low flows for this time of year. Agricultural Impacts Irrigation impacts; increased usage of irrigation, water supply from ponds running low. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire activity has been well above average in Maine for August. Wildfires have been burning actively at night, burning deep into the ground, and completely consuming larger fuels, all indicative of dry conditions. Vegetation is showing signs of drought stress, with birch and other hardwood trees beginning to change color and drop leaves earlier than normal. Other Impacts Dry wells can occur during periods of drought and have been reported over the past few weeks. Maine Drought Task Force Dry Well Survey Here Mitigation Actions Conserve water, practice fire prevention and follow directions from local officials. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Majority of the stream flows across the service area have fallen to “below normal” or “much below normal”. A few locations are now at record low or near record low flows for this time of year. Only a few watersheds in Northern Maine are within the “normal” percentile. USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map USGS 7 day average streamflow compared to historical streamflow https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=me&id=pa07d https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?id=pa07d&sid=w__map|m__pa07d_nwc&r=me Agricultural Impacts Soil moistures are above normal across Northern Maine & portions of the Central Highlands. This is due to recent rainfall. Soil moisture is significantly below normal in Downeast Maine, Bangor Region & Moosehead Region. Image Captions: National Water Model Soil Moisture Percentile 0-10cm Depth Soil Moisture Percentile 10-40cm Depth Above Normal Below Normal 0-4 Inches 15-40 Inches Manually UPDATE NWM Soil Moisture: https://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu/ https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Soilmst_Monitoring/Figures/daily/curr.w.rank.daily.gif 0-10cm map: https://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu/NWM_maps/SOIL_M-1day-lev0-me.png 10-40cm map: https://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu/NWM_maps/SOIL_M-1day-lev1-me.png https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/cmi.gif Fire Hazard Impacts High to Very High fire danger in portions of Maine. Upcoming rainfall will temporarily lower fire risk, but long term forecast will not end the fire risk. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Image Captions: NIFC September Significant Fire Potential Outlook Image Captions: Maine Wildfire Danger Report Texas: https://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/decban.png Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A dynamic system this weekend will bring another soaking rain to much of the state with the least amounts likely Downeast. Drier weather returns for much of next week, with little to no precipitation. Next 7 days features wetting rains for the northern areas near and northwest of I-95, but no drought busting rains in southern areas. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid 09/04 8AM to 09/11 8AM https://www.weather.gov/images/nerfc/ops/7DayWPCQPF.png Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Currently no rapid drought risk forecast in the next two weeks. https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/hazards_d8_14_contours.png 8 to 14 Day Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid Sep 11 to 17. Main Takeaways for 2 Weeks from now: Temperatures forecast to be near normal. Precipitation forecast to be slightly below normal. Possible Impact Without above average rainfall, precipitation deficit will persist. Climate Prediction Center https://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/regional/drought/update/outlook_temp.png https://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/regional/drought/update/outlook_precip.png Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center One Month Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center One Month Precipitation Outlook. Valid Sep 2025. Main Takeaways for the Next Month: No strong signal for temperatures. No strong signal for precipitation. Possible Impact Despite having some below average temperatures in the short term, no strong signal above/below will likely result in near normal conditions. No strong signals on precipitation. Precipitation will still mainly rely on showers with passing cold fronts. Discussion: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/fxus07.html Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Main Takeaways No projected change in drought this month. Downeast coast expected to have drought removal by end of the 3-month seasonal outlook. Possible Impact Potential for some improved conditions in drought heavy areas in the next few months. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/month_drought.png https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-1-month-drought-outlook-new-england.png https://storage.googleapis.com/noaa-nidis-drought-gov-data/current-conditions/nws-dgt-images/nws-seasonal-(3-month)-drought-outlook-new-england.png Main Takeaways The drought was driven by periods of warm temperatures in July and August, during which time less than 50% of normal rainfall was observed. Hot temperatures increased evapotranspiration, depleting soil moisture rapidly. These conditions occurring during the peak growing season are responsible for crop and forest stress. Additional impacts include, but not limited to, declining streamflows, lake levels, and groundwater. The latest forecast and outlooks going forward favor limited opportunities for relief through mid September. Contact Information Web www.weather.gov/gyx www.weather.gov/car Questions? Email nws.caribou@noaa.gov james.sinko@noaa.gov Louise.fode@noaa.gov Donald.dumont@noaa.gov Required