A hot and dry July is taking its toll across Maine. After just recently recovering from drought conditions, the lack of widespread rainfall has some areas at risk of returning to drought if dry weather persists.
This weeks Climate Chronicles question comes from Peter:
I’ve noticed that we haven’t seen much rain this month. How will this impact drought conditions in Maine?
July rainfall, or lack thereof in Portland (WGME).
July has only brought a handful of rainy days to Maine, and even those showers have been scattered rather than widespread.
In Portland, every rainfall event this month has produced less than a half inch of rain. Altogether, the city has picked up half an inch of rainfall through July 21.
By this point in an average July, Portland would have received about 2.35 inches of rain, with the monthly total typically ending up just over 3 inches. That means the city is currently running nearly two inches below normal for the month.
Driest July’s in Portland (WGME).
With so little rain this month, Portland is nearing historic territory.
Through July 21, this ranks as the seventh driest start to July since records began in 1871, and the driest July start in 32 years.
If the dry pattern continues, this month could finish among Portland’s driest Julys on record.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show improvement from last year’s drought.
But with July’s persistent heat and lack of rainfall, it’s likely that more of the coastline and interior will be reclassified as abnormally dry if these conditions continue.
Maine would need to go a lot longer without rain to move into back into a full on drought.
Seasonal drought outlook (NOAA/NWS).
The latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook indicates that the remaining drought conditions in York County are expected to improve and likely be removed over the coming months.
Even so, additional rainfall is still needed across much of Maine, especially in the southern part of the state.
Fortunately, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above-normal precipitation through the end of July and into the beginning of August, which could help ease the developing dryness if that wetter pattern materializes.