Drought Information Statement for Northern and Eastern Maine Valid September 11, 2025 Issued By: WFO Caribou, ME This product will be updated September 18, 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 remains in the Downeast, Bangor Region and portions of the Central Highlands. Minor improvements over Northern Maine. 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 Aroostook counties. Percentage of Maine in Drought Conditions D0: (Abnormally Dry): 15.45% D1 (Moderate Drought): 9.73% D2 (Severe Drought): 52.94% Percentage of Maine Not in Drought 21.88% 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 into portions of the Central Highlands. Dry Conditions Steady: Moosehead Region, Baxter Region into Southern Aroostook County. No Change: North Woods & St. John Valley https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/chng/png/current/current_ME_chng_4W.png Precipitation Recent soaking rainfall across the Bangor Region, Moosehead Region to Baxter and points northward helped with recent precipitation deficits. We continued to see areas lacking rainfall when events occur. 30 day deficits still remain in much of the Downeast and near the Bangor region. 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 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/7dTDeptNRCC.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 southern and central areas of the service area remain 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 was well above average in August. Activity continues in September. 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. Mitigation Actions Conserve water, practice fire prevention and follow directions from local officials. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Majority of the stream flows across the southern & central service area remain in the “below normal” or “much below normal” percentiles. A few locations are now at record low flows for this time of year. Only northern watersheds are near or 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 near normal across much Northern Maine & portions of the Central Highlands. This is due to recent rainfall. Soil moisture is below normal in Downeast Maine, Bangor Region, Eastern Aroostook & Moosehead Region. Image Captions: National Water Model Soil Moisture Percentile 0-10cm Depth Soil Moisture Percentile 10-40cm Depth Below Normal Above Normal Below Normal Above Normal Soil Depth: Surface to ~4” Soil Depth: ~4” to ~16” 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 Groundwater Impacts Significant impacts to deeper soil moisture conditions with several groundwater gauges below normal. Maine Drought Task Force Dry Well Survey reporting page here. Image Captions: National Water Model Soil Moisture Percentile 0-10cm Depth Soil Moisture Percentile 10-40cm Depth Below Normal Above Normal Soil Depth: ~40” to ~79” 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 fire danger statewide as conditions dry out again in most locations. Showers are expected in the upcoming weekend. Isolated wetting rains but most locations see light accumulations. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Image Captions: NICC September 2025 Significant Fire Potential Image Captions: Maine Wildfire Danger Report Texas: https://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/decban.png Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A cold front will cross the region this weekend with some rain showers. Isolated wetting rains but most locations remain rather dry with only temporary help. Drier weather returns for much of next week with above average temperatures. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid 09/11 8AM to 09/18 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 18 to 24. Main Takeaways for the 2 Week Timeframe: Stronger signal of above temperatures expected. Weak signal of Precipitation being near normal to 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 Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook. Valid September 20 - October 3, 2025. Main Takeaways for the Remainder of September: Signals for Above average temperatures. No signals for either Above or Below normal precipitation amounts. Possible Impact Above average temperatures with no strong signal of precipitation will not help Maine catch up in its moisture deficit. 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 hot temperatures in July and August, during which time less than 50% of normal rainfall was observed. Above normal 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, crop production and groundwater. The latest forecast and outlooks going forward favor limited opportunities for relief through the rest of 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