US drought

Massachusetts drought conditions

13.2% of Massachusetts is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, down 1.8 points from the week before. The worst is severe drought, across 5.1% of the state. 7 of 14 counties have some drought.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026.

In drought
13.2%
Worst category
D2 Severe drought
Abnormally dry or worse
71.4%
Counties with drought
7 of 14

Every countyLive radarMassachusetts alertsMassachusetts forecasts

This week’s map

The Drought Monitor for Massachusetts, valid Sep 15, 2026. County lines are drawn in; the categories are the same as the national map.

US Drought Monitor map of Massachusetts for Sep 15, 2026, shaded D0 abnormally dry through D4 exceptional drought
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought

Open the live map with the Drought Monitor

Map courtesy of the US Drought Monitor, NDMC-UNL, with USDA and NOAA. Original at droughtmonitor.unl.edu

This week's map, by category

Percent of Massachusetts in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 58.2%, D1 8.1%, D2 5.1%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 28.6%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse71.4%72.6%100%67.1%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse13.2%15%84.9%16%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse5.1%7%43.1%0%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse0%0%0%0%
D4 Exceptional drought0%0%0%0%
None28.6%27.4%0%32.9%

The past year

Percent of Massachusetts in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.

Percent of Massachusetts in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 13.2% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 71.4% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%OctNovDec2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
MapD0+D1+D2+D3+D4+
Sep 15, 202671.4%13.2%5.1%0%0%
Sep 8, 202672.6%15%7%0%0%
Sep 1, 202672.6%15%7%0%0%
Aug 25, 202672.6%17.9%7%0%0%
Aug 18, 202672.6%18.4%7%0%0%
Aug 11, 202685.1%21.2%7%0%0%
Aug 4, 202690.3%37.2%9.6%0%0%
Jul 28, 202695.4%88.7%13.6%0%0%
Jul 21, 202695.4%88.9%28.7%0%0%
Jul 14, 2026100%88.9%38.2%0%0%
Jul 7, 2026100%94.9%42.9%0%0%
Jun 30, 2026100%94.9%42.9%0%0%
Jun 23, 2026100%85.1%43.1%0%0%
Jun 16, 2026100%84.9%43.1%0%0%
Jun 9, 2026100%75.9%37.3%0%0%
Jun 2, 202697.3%59%17.8%0%0%
May 26, 202697.5%59%8.9%0%0%
May 19, 202697.5%56%4.4%0%0%
May 12, 202698.1%46.7%5.5%0%0%
May 5, 202698.1%36.9%0.6%0%0%
Apr 28, 202688.4%36.9%0%0%0%
Apr 21, 202677.6%26.3%0%0%0%
Apr 14, 202677.5%26.3%0%0%0%
Apr 7, 202681.6%29.7%0%0%0%
Mar 31, 202691.6%29.7%0.6%0%0%
Mar 24, 202691.6%39.2%0.6%0%0%
Mar 17, 202692.4%52.9%0.6%0%0%
Mar 10, 202697.8%60.3%6.1%0%0%
Mar 3, 202697.8%60.3%6.1%0%0%
Feb 24, 202697.8%60.3%6.1%0%0%
Feb 17, 202697.8%62%6.1%0%0%
Feb 10, 202690.4%47.7%4.3%0%0%
Feb 3, 202686.4%46.1%4.3%0%0%
Jan 27, 202686.4%46.1%4.3%0%0%
Jan 20, 202686.6%46.1%4.3%0%0%
Jan 13, 202686.6%36%4.3%0%0%
Jan 6, 202687.4%35.8%4.3%0%0%
Dec 30, 202576.1%35.8%4.3%0%0%
Dec 23, 202563.3%28.3%4.3%0%0%
Dec 16, 202563.3%28.3%4.8%0%0%
Dec 9, 202552.5%28.4%0%0%0%
Dec 2, 202552.5%28.4%0%0%0%
Nov 25, 202552.5%28.4%0%0%0%
Nov 18, 202558.5%28.9%0%0%0%
Nov 11, 202560.6%29.8%0%0%0%
Nov 4, 202562.8%31.6%0%0%0%
Oct 28, 202574.8%42.8%0%0%0%
Oct 21, 202574.9%42.8%0%0%0%
Oct 14, 202583.7%42.3%0%0%0%
Oct 7, 2025100%45.2%2.7%0%0%
Sep 30, 202599.7%26.1%2.1%0%0%
Sep 23, 2025100%19.4%<0.1%0%0%
Sep 16, 202567.1%16%0%0%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Massachusetts since January 2000.

Percent of Massachusetts in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 13.2% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 71.4% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%200420082012201620202024
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
YearWorst categoryMost in droughtWeek ofWeeks with drought
2026D2 Severe drought94.9%Jun 3037 of 37
2025D2 Severe drought79.1%Feb 1152 of 52
2024D3 Extreme drought90.8%Nov 1932 of 53
2023D1 Moderate drought1.7%Dec 194 of 52
2022D3 Extreme drought100%Aug 1631 of 52
2021D2 Severe drought20.3%Apr 1319 of 52
2020D3 Extreme drought95.9%Sep 2927 of 52
2019D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 53
2018D1 Moderate drought36.5%Jul 174 of 52
2017D3 Extreme drought98.3%Jan 320 of 52
2016D3 Extreme drought98.4%Dec 638 of 52
2015D1 Moderate drought100%May 1925 of 52
2014D1 Moderate drought53.7%Jan 713 of 52
2013D1 Moderate drought60.1%Nov 1915 of 53
2012D2 Severe drought95.9%Apr 1018 of 52
2011D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2010D1 Moderate drought27.6%Sep 216 of 52
2009D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2008D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 53
2007D1 Moderate drought70.6%Oct 914 of 52
2006D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2005D1 Moderate drought9.6%Oct 42 of 52
2004D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2003None0%0 of 52
2002D2 Severe drought100%Jan 128 of 53
2001D2 Severe drought100%Nov 2014 of 52
2000None0%0 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Massachusetts was in drought on 29% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000.

Weeks with some drought
399 of 1,394 (29%)
Worst category reached
D3 Extreme drought, last the week of Dec 10, 2024
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Sep 20, 2022
Longest spell
104 weeks, Sep 24, 2024 to Sep 15, 2026
Current spell
104 weeks, since Sep 24, 2024

Counties

Every county in Massachusetts: the worst category on this week's map, the share of it in drought, and CPC's monthly outlook at its center. Each page has the county's record since 2000.

CountyWorst categoryIn droughtChangeMonthly outlook
Barnstable CountyD2 Severe drought84.1%0Drought removal likely
Berkshire CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Bristol CountyD1 Moderate drought14.2%−18.8Drought removal likely
Dukes CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Essex CountyD1 Moderate drought1.8%0No drought expected
Franklin CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hampden CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Hampshire CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Middlesex CountyD1 Moderate drought28.5%0Drought removal likely
Nantucket CountyD2 Severe drought100%0Drought remains but improves
Norfolk CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Plymouth CountyD2 Severe drought35.8%−6.0Drought removal likely
Suffolk CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected
Worcester CountyD0 Abnormally dry0%0No drought expected

Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center's monthly drought outlook for Sep 2026, read at the center of each county. Its seasonal outlook runs through December 31; each county page has both.

  • No_Drought8 counties
  • Drought removal likely4 counties
  • Drought improves2 counties

What drought has meant in Massachusetts

The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Massachusetts at each level of drought.

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Crop growth is stunted; planting is delayed
  • Fire danger is elevated; spring fire season starts early
  • Lawns brown early; gardens begin to wilt
  • Surface water levels decline

D1 Moderate drought

  • Honey production declines
  • Irrigation use increases; hay and grain yields are lower than normal
  • Trees and landscaping are stressed; fish are stressed
  • Voluntary water conservation is requested; reservoir and lake levels are below normal capacity
  • Wildfires and ground fires increase

D2 Severe drought

  • Fish kills occur; wildlife move to farms for food
  • Golf courses conserve water
  • Producers begin feeding cattle; hay prices are high
  • Specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size
  • Trees are brittle and susceptible to insects
  • Warnings are issued on outdoor burns; air quality is poor
  • Water quality is poor; groundwater is declining; irrigation ponds are dry; outdoor water restrictions are implemented

D3 Extreme drought

  • Crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially
  • Extremely reduced flow to ceased flow of water is observed; river temperatures are warm; wells are running dry; people are digging more and deeper wells
  • Water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed
  • Well drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

This week in the Northeast

The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.

Northern New Jersey to Cape Cod along the coast of southern New England had a band of significant rain in the past week. Unfortunately, this rain was not where it was most needed. Much of Maine saw deteriorating drought conditions with continued dryness. An area of extreme drought was introduced along the Maine coastline, with low streamflows and well levels observed. Another area with rain falling over locations that are not abnormally dry was in West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Looking ahead

Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.

The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.

Written by Lindsay Johnson, National Drought Mitigation Center; David Mocko, SSAI, NASA/GSFC. The national narrative.

What this means

The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.

D0 Abnormally dry
Going into or coming out of drought.
D1 Moderate drought
Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
D2 Severe drought
Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
D3 Extreme drought
Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
D4 Exceptional drought
Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.

The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.

Sources

Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.