Maine, 2020Drought in Maine, October 1 to 31, 2020
October 1 to 31, 2020 · NWS GYX · 18 events in 18 counties and zones
Dry conditions developed rapidly across western Maine starting in the middle of May. The period May 16 to June 25 was exceedingly dry.
Every event with a place to put it; 18 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- $9.0 million
- Events
- 18
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
Dry conditions developed rapidly across western Maine starting in the middle of May. The period May 16 to June 25 was exceedingly dry. There was some relief in late June and July, especially in the Western Maine Mountains and parts of the Mid-Coast. Southern Maine. By the middle of August dry conditions set in again with September being exceedingly dry with some locations reporting their driest September on record. The National Centers for Environmental Information reported that September was the driest on record for Maine. D2 severe drought was confined to parts of York and Somerset County at the beginning of the September. The D2 drought rapidly expanded into Oxford, Cumberland, Androscoggin and Franklin Counties by the middle of September. By the end of September D2 drought expanded across all of Western Maine, with a D3 extreme drought area developing across York and parts of Cumberland Counties. Through the first 2 weeks of October the drought classification remained similar across the region with no significant rainfall. Things changed on October 13th with a significant rain storm bringing welcome relieve to the drought as a widespread 2 to 3 of rainfall occurred. More significant rain occurred on the 16-17th with 1 to 2 of rainfall across the region. By the 3rd week of October the drought classification began to improve with Severe Drought being reduced to Moderate Drought across the Western Mountains and Foothills. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining.
Drought, Androscoggin
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Androscoggin forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.166, -70.206 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Central Interior Cumberland
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Central Interior Cumberland forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Central Somerset
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Central Somerset forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 45.514, -69.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Coastal Cumberland
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Coastal Cumberland forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Coastal Waldo
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Coastal Waldo forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.485, -69.122 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Coastal York
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Coastal York forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.429, -70.670 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Interior Cumberland Highlands
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Interior Cumberland Highlands forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Interior Waldo
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Interior Waldo forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.485, -69.122 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Interior York
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Interior York forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.429, -70.670 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Kennebec
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Kennebec forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.409, -69.767 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Knox
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Knox forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.076, -69.126 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Lincoln
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Lincoln forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.998, -69.526 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Northern Franklin
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Northern Franklin forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.974, -70.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Northern Oxford
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Northern Oxford forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.500, -70.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Sagadahoc
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Sagadahoc forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 43.912, -69.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Southern Franklin
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Southern Franklin forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.974, -70.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Southern Oxford
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Southern Oxford forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 44.500, -70.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
Drought, Southern Somerset
- When
- October 1, 12:00 AM EST to October 31, 11:59 PM EST
- Where
- Southern Somerset forecast zone
- Crop damage
- $500,000
- Reported by
- State Official
- Coordinates
- 45.514, -69.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought maintained through the beginning of October with no significant rainfall across the region. Things changed on October 13th when a significant rainstorm brought widespread rainfall across the region. Another significant rainstorm occurred on October 16-17th with more beneficial rainfall. Portland reported an October monthly total rainfall of 4.08, Augusta reported 5.69 and Rangeley reported 6.49. The above normal rainfall across the Western Mountains and foothills allowed for the D2 Severe drought classification to be lowered to D1 Moderate Drought by the third week of October. D2 drought classification remained along the coastal counties and parts of Androscoggin and Kennebec Counties. Southern York County remained in D3 drought through the end of the month with significant rainfall departures remaining. Hydrologic conditions continued to worsen during the first week 2 weeks of October on non-regulated rivers with 90% of USGS river gaging stations below normal and a few sites at record lows for the beginning of October as river levels are normally beginning to rebound from the seasonal low flows. After the mid-month rains, hydrologic conditions significantly improved with many rivers systems in the Western Maine mountains returning to normal levels with flow remaining below normal on some smaller coastal basins. Reservoir levels on the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers remained near normal due to decreased flow and proper water management on these systems. Numerous reports of natural lake levels remained below normal for the month. In Western Maine, the 10 monitoring wells maintained by the USGS, 4 were below normal, 1 was much below normal, and 5 were in the normal range. In Maine, all 16 counties reported dry wells with 364 being reported to state agencies. The USDA Farm Service Agency reported every county in Maine, had received a drought declaration. Crops across Maine were hurt by the dry weather. Corn, potatoes, blueberries, barley and forage crops are the most affected. Farmers are concerned about having enough forage for their livestock to get through the winter. State level agriculture assistance programs, not counting insurance claims, have paid out over $500,000.
- Drought
- A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Heat in Arizona, October 1 to 6, 20202 deaths · 2 events
- Wildfire in Colorado, October 1 to 31, 2020$92 million · 1 event
- Rip Current in Puerto Rico, October 1, 20201 death · 2 injured · 1 event
- Drought in New Hampshire, October 1 to 31, 2020$9.0 million · 15 events
- Drought in Iowa, October 1 to 31, 2020$747,000 · 10 events
- Drought in South Dakota, October 1 to 31, 2020$143,000 · 5 events
- Drought in Minnesota, October 1 to 31, 2020$100,000 · 1 event
- Drought in New Mexico, October 1 to 31, 202040 events
- Drought in Colorado, October 1 to 31, 202021 events
- Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 202016 events
- Drought in New Mexico, October 1 to 31, 202015 events
- Drought in Pennsylvania, October 1 to 31, 202014 events
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 926741, 926743, 926744, 926745, 926746, 926747, 926748, 926749, 926750, 926751, 926752, 926753, 926754, 926755, 926756, 926757, 926758, 926759.