New Hampshire, 2025

Drought in New Hampshire, September 1 to 30, 2025

September 1 to 30, 2025 · NWS GYX · 15 events in 15 counties and zones

The period from June through September 2025 saw a dramatic worsening of drought conditions across New Hampshire, establishing it as a historically severe event comparable or even worse than the 2001 drought. Despite some bookend rainfall in September, an extended stretch of warm, windy, and dry weather dominated, leading to rapid depletion of any moisture that fell.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
15

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS GYX wrote it up.

The period from June through September 2025 saw a dramatic worsening of drought conditions across New Hampshire, establishing it as a historically severe event comparable or even worse than the 2001 drought. Despite some bookend rainfall in September, an extended stretch of warm, windy, and dry weather dominated, leading to rapid depletion of any moisture that fell. By September 30, the U.S. Drought Monitor classified nearly 83% of the state in at least Severe Drought (D2). The report classified 17.32% in Moderate Drought (D1), 49.87% in Severe Drought (D2), and 32.80% in Extreme Drought (D3) by area.

The July September stretch was the driest on record, averaging only 6 inches of precipitation approximately 50% of normal. This period also recorded the warmest high temperatures on record for the state, averaging 78.1 F (about 4 degrees above normal), accelerating evaporation and moisture loss.

The drought severely impacted multiple sectors across the state. Farmers suffered widespread crop losses, particularly affecting high-value crops like corn, hay, and apples. The drought caused critically low streamflows, with many reporting record low levels. A significant number of private wells ran dry, directly impacting households. Hydropower production was reduced due to low water levels in reservoirs and rivers. Increased fire danger from dry fuels and depleted soil moisture necessitated the frequent implementation of burn bans throughout the period. The severity of this event prompted the USDA to declare the area a natural disaster, allowing for federal assistance.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

15 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Belknap

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Belknap forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.519, -71.423 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Belknap County averaged 2.84 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew to over 5 inches, making it the second driest stretch between July through September on record, the driest being 1948. Lake Winnipesaukee, which resides mostly in Belknap County, tied with 2001 on daily minimum water levels late in the month. The low water levels reduced flows on the Winnipesaukee River, impacting downstream communities' water supply in Tilton. The USDM on September 30th had 70% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 30% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Cheshire

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Cheshire forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.919, -72.251 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Cheshire County averaged 3.02 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 5 inches, making it the 6th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 37% of the county in Moderate Drought (D1) and 63% in Severe Drought (D2) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Coastal Rockingham

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Coastal Rockingham forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.985, -71.089 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rockingham County averaged 2.48 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 4 inches, making it the 9th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 69% of the county in Moderate Drought (D1), and 31% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) in the north sector.

Drought, Interior Rockingham

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Interior Rockingham forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.985, -71.089 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Rockingham County averaged 2.48 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 4 inches, making it the 9th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 69% of the county in Moderate Drought (D1), and 31% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) in the north sector.

Drought, Eastern Hillsborough

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Eastern Hillsborough forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.915, -71.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hillsborough County averaged 2.89 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 5 inches, making it the 8th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 84% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 16% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Western and Central Hillsborough

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Western and Central Hillsborough forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
42.915, -71.716 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hillsborough County averaged 2.89 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 5 inches, making it the 8th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 84% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 16% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Merrimack

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Merrimack forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.298, -71.680 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Merrimack County averaged 2.87 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 5 inches, making it the 2nd driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 10% of the county in Moderate Drought (D1), 72% of the county in Severe Drought (D2), and 18% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Northern Carroll

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Carroll forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.874, -71.203 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Carroll County averaged 3.30 inches of precipitation in September, approximately half an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew to over 5 inches, making it the 3rd driest stretch between July through September on record. Lake Winnipesaukee tied with 2001 on daily minimum water levels late in the month. The USDM on September 30th had 30% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 70% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Southern Carroll

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Carroll forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.874, -71.203 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Carroll County averaged 3.30 inches of precipitation in September, approximately half an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew to over 5 inches, making it the 3rd driest stretch between July through September on record. Lake Winnipesaukee tied with 2001 on daily minimum water levels late in the month. The USDM on September 30th had 30% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 70% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Northern Coos

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Coos forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
44.690, -71.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coos County averaged 2.17 inches of precipitation in September, approximately 2 inches below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 6 inches, making it the driest stretch between June through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 89% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 11% in Extreme Drought (D3) located in the southern sector.

Drought, Southern Coos

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Coos forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
44.690, -71.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coos County averaged 2.17 inches of precipitation in September, approximately 2 inches below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 6 inches, making it the driest stretch between June through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 89% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 11% in Extreme Drought (D3) located in the southern sector.

Drought, Northern Grafton

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Northern Grafton forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.941, -71.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grafton County averaged 2.96 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 6 inches, making it the driest stretch between June through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 12% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 88% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Southern Grafton

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Grafton forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.941, -71.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Grafton County averaged 2.96 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 6 inches, making it the driest stretch between June through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 12% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 88% in Extreme Drought (D3) primarily located in the north sector.

Drought, Strafford

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Strafford forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.297, -71.029 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strafford County averaged 2.80 inches of precipitation in September, approximately an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew near 4 inches, making it the 11th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 100% of the county in Severe Drought (D2).

Drought, Sullivan

When
September 1, 12:00 AM EST to September 30, 11:00 PM EST
Where
Sullivan forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
43.361, -72.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sullivan County averaged 3.12 inches of precipitation in September, approximately half an inch below normal. The rainfall deficits carried over from summer grew over 4 inches, making it the 4th driest stretch between July through September on record. The USDM on September 30th had 48% of the county in Severe Drought (D2) and 52% in Extreme Drought (D3) located in the southern sector.

What these are

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.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in New Hampshire in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in New Hampshire, September 2025

Sources

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: 1295784, 1295785, 1295786, 1295787, 1295788, 1295789, 1295790, 1295791, 1295792, 1295793, 1295794, 1295795, 1295796, 1295797, 1295798.