Caribou, ME – Drought conditions across Maine are slowly improving, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday. The National Weather Service Caribou office reports that Extreme Drought has been fully removed from eastern Maine and the Bangor region. However, 74.92% of the state remains classified under Severe Drought (D2) as long-term groundwater shortages continue.
Forecasters emphasize that the drought impacting the region is now primarily a groundwater drought, meaning that even though recent rainfall and snowmelt have helped surface moisture, deeper aquifer recovery remains very slow. With Maine nearing the onset of ground freeze for winter, opportunities for further improvement will soon diminish.
Drought conditions began worsening over the summer and extended into fall due to prolonged rainfall deficits. While early-season snow has melted and rainfall has returned at times, the state faces a lag in groundwater recharge that may extend drought impacts into the 2025–26 winter season.
Specific improvements are expected only gradually as additional rain and melting snow contribute moisture before the ground freezes. Officials urge residents with private wells to monitor water levels closely. The Maine Emergency Management Agency is collecting reports from well owners experiencing shortages.
The latest drought map continues to highlight the southern coast as the most impacted region, with past pockets of Extreme Drought now downgraded but still significantly stressed.
