Rains bring relief to drought in Maine

The recent rain in Maine is easing the drought that parts of the state have been experiencing since the fall.

Scott Dean, a Spectrum meteorologist, said much of Maine has been at least “dry” for several months. Parts of the state, including Portland, Bangor and Bar Harbor, are under a “moderate” drought. 

Much of the country is also experiencing a drought, Dean added. The Southeast is seeing extreme levels of drought, and the West coast has been under a drought for years. There are many factors that go into this, including climate change, weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña and other factors. 

And, when an area does experience drought, it can become a feedback loop. With less moisture in the ground and atmosphere, the drought can “feed upon itself,” Dean said. 

“It takes a while to get into a drought and it also takes a while to get out of one,” Dean said.

But, the rainy days in Maine have been alleviating the drought, Dean said. And, the trend is likely to continue — the forecast is predicting above average levels of precipitation for the next three to four weeks.

“Hopefully, we are continuing to head in the right direction as the drought has eased in these areas,” Dean said.

In fact, if these rains do continue, Maine could come out of the drought sometime this summer.