http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

The Connecticut River Valley and Southeast Regions joined the Northeast and Central Regions at a Level 3-Critical Drought. The Cape Cod Region moved to a Level 2-Significant Drought from Level 1, and the Islands and Western Regions will remain at a Level 1-Mild Drought. Level-3 Critical Drought and a Level 2-Significant Drought calls for the convening of an inter-agency Mission Group, which has already begun to meet to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts, and response within the government. Additionally, a Level 1-Mild Drought recommends detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities. Mass.gov (Boston), Aug 9, 2022 With the majority of the state currently experiencing elevated temperatures and forecasts predicting little to no meaningful precipitation, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and Central Regions of the state. The entire state was in some level of drought. WBUR-FM Boston Public Radio (Mass.), July 22, 2022 The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ drought update on July 13 indicated that drought conditions were expanding, putting the Connecticut River Valley Region, Central Region, Northeast Region and Southeast Region in Level 2 – Significant Drought, while the Western Region and Islands Region were in Level 1 – Mild Drought. Only the Cape Cod Region was free of drought. Last month, just the Central and Connecticut River Valley regions were in a mild drought. Fire danger has risen in the northern part of the state, and foliage in shrubs and grasses was stressed by the lack of rain. The public is urged to conserve water and to follow local water restrictions. Some farmers were irrigating heavily due to the dryness. Boston Herald (Mass.), July 13, 2022 The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs updated the drought status for parts of the state in mid-June, declaring a significant drought for the North Shore, MetroWest, Boston and the South Shore. WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston (Mass.), June 30, 2022. Massachusetts residents in the Southeast and Islands regions were urged to conserve water since a mild drought was declared on May 11. Rainfall has been irregular in the past several months, leading to below average precipitation. Residents are advised to reduce total water use, limit outdoor watering to one day a week between 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., carry out water audits on larger buildings and collect rainwater for outdoor watering. MassLive (Springfield, Mass.), May 11, 2022