Drought Information Statement for Southern New England Issued By: NWS Boston/Norton, MA Contact information: box.webmaster@noaa.gov Current Status, Impacts, and Outlook: 12/14/2024 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Note: Input for USDM update for 12/10/2024 was made prior to a substantial rainfall event on 12/11-12/12. Thus, latest USDM may not be fully representative of current conditions. D3 Extreme Drought Portions of Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Worcester counties in MA D2 Severe Drought Northern RI CT Western MA, Northern border of MA D1 Moderate Drought Southern RI Portions of Bristol and Plymouth counties in MA D0 Abnormally Dry Cape/Islands THIS SLIDE IS REQUIRED Recent Change in Drought Intensity 1-Week Drought Monitor Class Change National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Drought Worsened: No degradation No Change: No changes across the region Drought Improved: No improvements this week Observed Precipitation National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways 30 day rainfall accumulations ranging from 4 to 8 inches Majority of southern New England has only received 100 to 150 percent of normal precipitation over the last 30 days Rhode Island has Received nearly 200 percent of normal precip over the last 30 days Outer Cape and Nantucket slightly below normal 3 Month Departures and Percent of Normal National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways 90 day precipitation departures are 4.5 inches or more below normal across western MA and most of CT 90 day accumulations only fall in the 40 to 60 percent of normal range across western MA and CT Eastern MA and RI 90 day accumulations are generally in the 60 to 100 percent of normal range Observed Temperature National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Temperatures have been within 2 degrees of normal over the last 30 days Summary of Impacts National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Hydrologic Impacts Recent heavy precipitation has allowed streamflow levels to climb to near to above normal ranges Groundwater levels still below normal, but may show some recharge in the near-future with recent precipitation Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Fire Hazard Impacts None at this time State Drought Declarations MA declared critical drought for all of MA except The Cape/Islands which was declared mild drought on December 6th Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/drought-status for more information CT declared a Stage 2 Drought Advisory for all of CT on November 9th RI issued a state wide Drought Advisory on December 4th. Details can be found in this press release. Mitigation actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways 7 day streamflow levels mainly in the normal range with a few gauges in the below normal range, and a few gauges in the above normal range. 7-Day Streamflow Percentile Agricultural Impacts National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Most of MA ranging from PDSI between -1 and -2.9 highlighting continued longer term dryness in the state Most of RI still considered to be in the normal range (-0.9 to 0.9) thanks to a wet end to the summer. This product does not capture short-term dry trends and changes slowly from week to week Palmer Drought Severity Index Fire Hazard Impacts National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Wildland fire potential above normal across all of southern New England for November Seven Day Precipitation Forecast National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Next 7 days: Wet forecast for next 7 days with 0.75 to 1.5 inches of new liquid precipitation expected for southern New England 6-10 Day Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Leaning below normal temperatures for days 6 through 10 (12/19-12/23) Leaning above normal precipitation for days 6 through 10 (12/19-12/23) Possible Impact Precipitation deficits may improve depending on the amount of precipitation received Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid December19-23. 8-14 Day Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Near normal temperatures for days 8-14 (12/21-12/27) Leaning below normal precipitation for days 8-14 (12-21-12/27) Possible Impact Precipitation deficits and drought conditions may worsen with no substantial precipitation Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid December 21-27 Weeks 3-4 Outlook Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Equal chances for above/below normal precipitation during mid to late December Possible Impact Low confidence in any drought improvement through early-January Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Weeks 3-4 Precipitation Outlook. Valid December 28- January 10 Seasonal Climate Outlook Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways Higher chances for above normal average temperatures for the Northeast between Jan-Mar Equal chances for above/below normal precipitation between Jan-Mar Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook. Valid 01 to 03 2025. Drought Outlook National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Main Takeaways 1 month outlook calls for drought conditions to persist through the end of December 3 month outlook calls for drought persisting through the end of February More Information National Weather Service Boston/Norton, MA Connecticut Connecticut Drought Information Center Massachusetts Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force Rhode Island Rhode Island Water Resources Board