The drought is intensifying in Massachusetts, spreading throughout New England.

“Most rivers in inland southern New England are below normal or at their lowest levels on record,” said Matthew Belk, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Norton.

Parts of southeastern Massachusetts (Lower Bristol and Plymouth counties) as well as Cape Cod, which managed to stave off any drought concerns in light of last summer’s heavy rainfall, have since moved into the “abnormally dry” column this year. year. week.

Elsewhere in New England, drought conditions have also worsened in Rhode Island and Connecticut, both of which are now experiencing moderate drought compared to last week, when they were in the “abnormally dry” stage, a precursor to drought. Moderate drought has also spread into Maine and is now affecting all of eastern Maine.

We have had prolonged dry weather since mid-August. Much of New England has been experiencing some form of drought since September.

October ended about 3 inches below the monthly average, with just five days of measurable precipitation in the Boston area, and barely a half-inch of rain on its heaviest day.

Boston and much of New England saw significant excess groundwater during the very wet year of 2023 and the first five months of 2024, but much of that excess has been wiped away.

Firefighters continue to battle wildfires sparked across Massachusetts by extremely dry ground and crunchy fallen leaves. The state is experiencing an unprecedented surge. large forest fires and small brush fires which have already consumed at least 500 acres in just one week.

Sunday night is our next chance for rain, but even that chance is slim, according to the Met Office.

“Forecast model trends show less rain Sunday night and Monday morning,” Belk said. After this round of rain, the region will likely have to wait until late next week for possible precipitation.

Persistent high pressure keeps the rain out, or at least helps stop storms as they approach New England—pushing dry air into low pressure systems to reduce rainfall in our region.

The potential impacts of a severe drought in Massachusetts could be widespread and impact water use, the environment and agriculture, according to the Drought Monitor. The consequences of severe drought include:

• Water quality could deteriorate, groundwater levels could drop, and many irrigation ponds could evaporate, prompting communities to impose outdoor water restrictions.

• Farmers may run into problems when they start adding additives to livestock feed due to reduced pasture growth.

• Specialty crops may have lower yields and smaller fruits, affecting the availability and quality of local produce.

• Aquatic ecosystems may suffer from fish kills due to declining water levels and oxygen depletion.

• Wildlife struggling to find food may move into farms, putting further pressure on agricultural resources.

• Trees may become fragile and more susceptible to insect infestation, jeopardizing the health of the forest.