{"id":280581,"date":"2026-02-12T14:25:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/280581\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:25:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T14:25:14","slug":"drought-in-parts-of-mass-worsen-despite-heavy-snow-some-rain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/280581\/","title":{"rendered":"Drought in parts of Mass. worsen despite heavy snow, some rain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cMassachusetts received a significant amount of snow and a total of 2 to 3.5 inches of precipitation\u201d last month, but deficits since 2024 remain<\/a>, according to Rebecca Tepper, the state\u2019s energy and environmental affairs secretary. \u201cRecord cold temperatures and frozen ground have prevented snowmelt from occurring and soaking into the soil, limiting groundwater recharge and discharge to streams.\u201d <\/p>\n

Globe meteorologist Dave Epstein said a region can still have a lot of snow with lower-than-average moisture. \u201cJust look at January, with 15 inches of more snowfall than normal, yet over an inch less moisture than we would typically expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MostMost of New England has seen less rain than average over the last 30 days. A 100-percent level represents normal.Boston Globe<\/p>\n

Even rainfall will mostly run off because it takes prolonged warm temperatures to allow for the topsoil to soften enough for any water to reach deep down to restore water levels.<\/p>\n

Most of the state, aside from Berkshire County and Martha\u2019s Vineyard, remains in some level of drought, with Nantucket experiencing the most severe conditions. Those regions under a drought will likely only see marginal improvement from snowmelt over the next couple of weeks as temperatures rise into the third week of February.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Millers River Basin, in the north-central part of the state, has improved and is no longer under \u201ccritical drought,\u201d according to officials.<\/p>\n

State officials said the drought, which began in 2024<\/a>, has \u201ccontinued to have significant impacts on the natural environment, including low streamflow, decreasing water levels in lakes and ponds, and declining groundwater in nearly all regions. Although local water supplies are currently stable, as the drought continues to persist and with reduced recharge at this time of the year, it is prudent for all to be very conservative and save water whenever possible.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"CurrentCurrent topsoil moisture levels in New England.Boston Globe<\/p>\n

Using its own analysis, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported in its latest update<\/a> that nearly half of the state was in a \u201cmoderate\u201d drought, with a small portion of north-central Mass. experiencing \u201csevere\u201d drought.<\/p>\n

\"DroughtDrought conditions across New England.US Drought Monitor<\/p>\n

Sign up here<\/a> for our daily Globe Weather Forecast<\/a> that will arrive straight into your inbox bright and early each weekday morning.<\/p>\n

Marianne Mizera can be reached at marianne.mizera@globe.com<\/a>. Follow her @MareMizera<\/a>. Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman<\/a>.<\/p>\n