Ten of Massachusetts’ 14 counties are currently experiencing significant drought conditions, the state’s environmental affairs secretary declared Tuesday.
Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Suffolk and Worcester Counties have all worsened to Level 2 drought conditions, the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs said in a press release. This is the third of five possible drought levels.
Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth Counties also worsened to Level 1-mild drought conditions, the environmental affairs department said. Only Dukes County now remains at Level 0-normal conditions.
Although the spring and early summer months brought much-needed rain, less than normal precipitation over the last three months has quickly moved many regions of the state back into a significant drought, the environmental affairs department said. August was a particularly dry month for Massachusetts, and three-month precipitation deficits remain widespread, with much of the state receiving 40-80% of normal rainfall.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant during this time and adhere to local water restrictions and practice water conservation,” state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in the release. “We can all do our part to prevent brush and forest fires by exercising caution with outdoor activities like campfires and the safe disposal of smoking materials.”
The state environmental affairs apartment asks that residents and businesses in areas experiencing drought conditions minimize both their indoor and outdoor water usage, fix leaks around their properties and abide by local water usage restrictions. Larger businesses can also help conserve water by undergoing a water audit to identify opportunities to limit its usage.
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Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and deployed 200 members of the Massachusetts National Guard ahead of a potential blizzard that is set to slam the state.
Healey held a news conference Sunday afternoon at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) headquarters in Framingham. A potentially historic winter storm will dump snow on the state with blizzard conditions possible in some places.
For the first time in four years, a blizzard warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Massachusetts. The warning has been issued for the entire North and South Shores, Boston, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, Bristol County, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Parts of the state, including Boston, could receive 2 feet of snow. In addition, winds are expected to be an issue for much of Massachusetts. In parts of the state, winds may reach 40-55 mph. On Cape Cod, winds could whip higher than 70 mph.
“This is a serious storm. At the outset what I want to say to the public is this is one to take seriously,” Healey said, adding “Unfortunately we do expect to see power outages and downed trees.”
The governor said declaring a state of emergency allows the state to respond quickly and deploy resources during the storm. The National Guard will be available to assist with rescue response and debris removal.
Healey said all non-emergency government employees will be working remotely on Monday and she urges the private sector to do the same.
Many schools in the state have already canceled class on Monday, which is the first day students were scheduled to return from their winter break. School cancellations are not an issue in New Hampshire for this storm as the state’s winter break is just getting underway.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu held her own news conference Sunday, saying the storm could be “of historic proportions.” The city declared a snow emergency and parking ban and said schools will be closed on Monday. Wu also asked drivers to stay off the roads.
On Saturday at 9:38 p.m. a special weather statement was released by the National Weather Service until Sunday at 12:15 a.m. for Worcester, Middlesex, Norfolk and Bristol counties.
“Areas of light snow and snow showers have developed and are contributing to locally slick road conditions. Please allow extra travel time this evening as snow showers continue. Conditions are expected to improve as snow activity wanes after midnight,” states the weather service.
Weather
Most Massachusetts towns saw a few inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning, with Franklin and Essex counties reporting the highest totals.
Another, likely snowier, storm was on the way for Sunday night into Monday. The National Weather Service in Boston called it a “high impact” storm with blizzard conditions and power outages possible.
Curious about how your town fared? Check out our table below.
| County | Location | Amount | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | NWS Boston/Norton | 0.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | 2 NNW Haverhill | 5 in | 9:45 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Haverhill 0.7 N | 4.7 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Methuen 1.4 NE | 4.6 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Newburyport 0.4 NNW | 4.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | 1 SSE Haverhill | 4.5 in | 7:50 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Andover 0.6 E | 4 in | 6:37 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Hamilton 0.7 WSW | 4 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | North Andover 0.3 NW | 4 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Middleton | 3.9 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | 1 WNW Ipswich | 3.8 in | 8:25 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Middleton 1.4 SSW | 3.5 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Essex County | Beverly 0.5 SW | 2.4 in | 6:20 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | 2 N Leyden | 6.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | Greenfield | 5 in | 9:44 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | 1 WSW Ashfield | 4.3 in | 6:45 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | Orange | 3.6 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | Sunderland 1.3 SE | 3.5 in | 7:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | Shutesbury 2.9 SW | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Franklin County | New Salem 3.1 S | 3 in | 8:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampden County | Russell 0.9 W | 3.1 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampden County | Westfield 2.2 N | 2.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampden County | Westfield 2.8 SE | 2.3 in | 6 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampden County | Southwick 4.3 NW | 2.3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampden County | Holland 1.0 SSW | 2.2 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampshire County | Williamsburg 1.2 WSW | 4.2 in | 6:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampshire County | Amherst | 3.7 in | 7:15 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampshire County | Northampton 0.6 ESE | 3.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampshire County | Northampton 2.7 NE | 3.5 in | 8:08 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Hampshire County | 1 SW Southampton | 2.2 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Acton 1.3 SW | 3.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Maynard 0.7 ESE | 3.3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Reading 1.2 N | 3.2 in | 6 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Hudson 1.4 NW | 3.1 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Lexington 0.6 SW | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Ayer 0.1 SW | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Framingham 2.0 NNE | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Chelmsford 1.8 NW | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Littleton 2.8 NNW | 3 in | 8:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Lexington | 2.9 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Melrose 1.0 WNW | 2.7 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Melrose 0.5 NE | 2.7 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Winchester 0.7 SE | 2.7 in | 7:15 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Natick 1.9 NNE | 2.5 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Middlesex County | Holliston 0.7 W | 2 in | 7:20 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | Norwood 1.3 NW | 2.6 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | Blue Hill Coop | 2.6 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | Braintree 1.5 SE | 2.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | Walpole | 2.4 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | Weymouth | 2.2 in | 8:45 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Norfolk County | 1 ESE Randolph | 2.1 in | 9:02 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Suffolk County | Logan AP | 1.8 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | 1 W Princeton | 4.8 in | 9:05 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | 2 SSE Ashburnham | 4.5 in | 7:17 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | 1 WNW Sterling | 4 in | 6 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Sterling 4.3 NW | 4 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Lunenburg 0.6 NE | 4 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | 1 WSW Westminster | 3.8 in | 7:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Fitchburg 1.6 SSW | 3.6 in | 6 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Barre 1.4 NNE | 3.6 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Westminster 0.6 WSW | 3.5 in | 6:39 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Rutland 3.8 N | 3.5 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Fitchburg 1.5 NNE | 3.5 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Holden 0.9 SSE | 3 in | 6 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Milford | 3 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | 2 SW Westborough | 2.9 in | 6:05 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | West Brookfield 3.1 NNE | 2.9 in | 6:30 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Worcester AP | 2.9 in | 9 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Shrewsbury 0.4 S | 2.6 in | 8 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Spencer 1.7 W | 2.3 in | 7:07 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Worcester AP | 2.1 in | 11:51 p.m. | 02/20 |
| Worcester County | Upton 0.4 NE | 2.1 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Warren 2.4 WSW | 2 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
| Worcester County | Douglas 1.9 NNE | 2 in | 7 a.m. | 02/21 |
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