Northeast Drought Early Warning Update

Drought Early Warning Update for the Northeast July 1, 2021 Another Northeast Drought Settles in With the Onset of Warmer Than Normal Temperatures and Below Normal Precipitation

This Drought Early Warning Update is issued in partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to communicate concern for drought expansion and intensification within the Northeast U.S. based on recent conditions and the forecasts and outlooks. NIDIS and its partners will issue future Drought Early Warning Updates as conditions evolve. This covers the following states in the Northeast U.S.: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. For more details, see the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard.

Key Points Severe Drought (D2) expanded in Maine and New Hampshire Moderate Drought (D1) expanded westward in Vermont Moderate Drought (D1) and Abnormally Dry Conditions (D0) held on in northern and western New York

Current Conditions

U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions Severe drought (D2) exists in 6.3% of the region. Moderate drought (D1) conditions exist in 29.4% of the region. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions exist in 30.2% of the region.

June 29, 2021, U.S. Drought Monitor Map: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

7-Day Average Streamflows Streamflows are below average across much of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and western Connecticut, Massachusetts, and areas in New York. Some waterways in Maine are setting daily low streamflow records.

Annual Precipitation Departure from Normal

June 30 High Temperature Anomalies Portland, ME, reached a high of 95°F. The site recorded three consecutive days of 95°F or higher for the first time in June, tying its all-time streak. Boston, MA, had a high of 100°F, tying as the site’s hottest June day on record. The most recent occurrence was in 1952. LaGuardia Airport, NY, recorded a high of 100°F for only the fourth time in June on record, tying as the site’s third hottest June day. Concord, NH had 9 days above 90 this June, breaking the record of 8 days set in 1997.

State-Reported Impacts Maine Water District Bans Outdoor Water Use Due to Drought https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-water-district-bans-outdoor-water-use-due-to-drought/36877605 Vermont Fire Concerns https://www.vnews.com/Valley-fire-chiefs-concerned-about-drought-41199668 New York Crops https://www.whec.com/rochester-ny-weather/stokoe-farms-feeling-the-impact-of-hot-dry-weather/6156725/?cat=12713

Sign Up for Customized Drought Alerts (My Alerts) at Drought.gov https://www.drought.gov/drought-alerts/signup

Outlooks The 8-14 day outlook indicates above-normal temperatures for the region. Above-normal precipitation is favored for western Massachusetts and Connecticut and much of New York. Normal precipitation is favored for the rest of the region. The 3-4 week outlook favors above-normal temperatures across the Northeast and equal precipitation chances for the region.

Temperature Outlook 8-14 Day

Precipitation Outlook 8-14 Day

Temperature Outlook Week 3-4

Precipitation Outlook Week 3-4

Soil Moisture End Users Listening Session July 13 or July 22, 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET Do you use (or *wish* you could use) soil moisture data or maps to support your decision making, advising, or other work activities?   Do you want to share your opinions on which soil moisture datasets, maps, and tools are needed to better inform drought, flood, or other natural resource issues?   In July, the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network is hosting two listening sessions for soil moisture end users to share their thoughts, wish lists, and out-of-the-box ideas about what types of soil moisture products would best serve them.    Target participants include federal, regional, and state program staff; state climatologists; water resource managers; extension agents; and any others who are interested in products derived from soil moisture data, whether it be from in situ mesonets, modeling outputs, and/or satellite retrievals.     Participants can choose either July 13 or an identical session on July 22, both at 1-3 p.m. ET. Please register by Wednesday, July 7.

Register Now

Additional Resources Northeast DEWS Dashboard: https://nedews.nrcc.cornell.edu/ NOAA Regional Climate Services: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-information/regional Your local National Weather Service office: https://www.weather.gov/srh/nwsoffices NOAA Regional Climate Services Monthly Webinar Series (July 29 next webinar): https://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/workshops/webinars/2021/06/index.html USDA Northeast Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/drought-map USGS/New England and New York Water Science Centers: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/new-england-water and https://www.usgs.gov/centers/ny-water

Contacts for More Information Sylvia Reeves Regional Drought Information Coordinator (Northeast DEWS) NOAA/CIRES/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Email: [log in to unmask] Ellen L. Mecray Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region NOAA/NESDIS/National Centers for Environmental Information Email: [log in to unmask]

Prepared By   Sylvia Reeves NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Samantha Borisoff, Jessica Spaccio, Keith Eggleston, Art DeGaetano Northeast Regional Climate Center Ellen Mecray Regional Climate Services Director, Eastern Region, NOAA David Hollinger and Maria Janowiak USDA Climate Hubs Gardner Bent USGS/New England Water Science Center In partnership with National Weather Service Offices of the Northeast and State Climate Offices of the Northeast.

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