Weather
MA Enters A Likely Hot Summer In Drought Conditions
The latest reading by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows a worsening drought situation in eastern Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, MA — A potentially hotter-than-usual summer will start with drought conditions across most of Massachusetts.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report issued May 26 showed a worsening drought situation in the state. The entire state east of the Quabbin Reservoir was experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions, while a swath of the state between southern Worcester County, Plum Island and Plymouth in a stage 1 moderate drought.
The previous map only had part of the state east of the Worcester County line categorized as "abnormally dry." Scattered rain over the last week or so wasn't enough to stop the drying conditions.
"Dry conditions over the last 60 days, plus low groundwater and streamflow, prompted the introduction of moderate drought over eastern Massachusetts and part of Rhode Island," the drought monitor said in the May 26 update.
At the same time, the National Weather Service's long range forecast showed an up to 60 percent chance of above average temperatures through August. The long-range forecast also showed up to a 50 percent potential for above-average precipitation this summer, potentially bringing drought relief.
In the short term — through about June 4 — temperatures and humidity may be above normal, according to the weather service.
