Maine’s Drought Deepens: What You Need to Know About the Growing Crisis

Maine is facing a worsening drought. As of Thursday, over 16% of the state is in extreme drought conditions, which is a noticeable increase from the previous week. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that most of Maine is experiencing moderate to severe drought.

Britney Hamilton, a meteorologist from Spectrum News, shared that every part of the state is either abnormally dry or in some degree of drought. Around 70% of Maine is currently affected.

Recently, the Maine Drought Task Force had its second virtual meeting of the season. This group typically includes state and federal leaders, but representatives from the USDA and the USGS were absent due to the federal government shutdown.

The Maine Forest Service reports a staggering 747 wildfires this year, compared to 662 at the last meeting. With fall approaching, they are on high alert. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry predicts significant damage to agriculture as winter approaches. Tom Gordon, from the Maine DACF, mentioned that hay crops are likely to suffer. Livestock farmers may need to buy extra feed to sustain their animals during winter.

Concerns are rising as 306 dry wells have been reported across the state. To combat the drought, the National Weather Service stated that Maine needs an additional 6 to 12 inches of rain before winter. If not, the state may face a prolonged drought.

Sarah Jamison, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service, emphasized the importance of groundwater recharge. If the ground freezes without sufficient moisture, Maine will continue facing drought issues into next season.

Hamilton added that rain needs to arrive gradually rather than all at once to prevent flooding. Unfortunately, recent weather patterns have kept moisture from reaching Maine. “It’s been dry, almost like bad luck,” she noted. Storms that could deliver rain frequently lose their moisture by the time they reach the state.

While there’s a chance for rain in the coming weeks, significant downpours don’t seem likely. Some parts of Maine received one to four inches last week, which was helpful but didn’t penetrate the soil deeply enough to make a lasting impact.

This ongoing situation highlights how climate change is affecting weather patterns, leading to severe droughts in regions that were previously more stable. According to a recent report by the Climate Prediction Center, drought conditions are expected to become more severe and frequent in the coming years.

For more information about Maine’s drought relief programs, you can check the Farmers Drought Relief Fund.

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