All Of MA Now In 'Significant Drought,' State Officials Say

WORCESTER, MA — A tropical storm swept across Massachusetts just about a week ago. Now we're in a significant drought.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) on Thursday declared the entire state in a level 2 significant drought. That comes after multiple scorching heat waves and very little rain so far this summer — Tropical Storm Isaias only brought brief periods of rain to eastern Massachusetts on Aug. 4.

"All levels of government are coordinating to address these critical drought conditions, and it is essential that residents and businesses across the Commonwealth take extra care to conserve water both indoors and outdoors and be mindful of the increased risk of wildland fires when using any fire or smoking materials," EEA Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said Thursday in declaring the drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday also upgraded much of the state from "abnormally dry" to a D1 "moderate drought." In a D1 drought, the state is at risk of more wildfires, a decline in honey production, and higher stress in trees and fish.

According to the National Weather Service, the state is between 50 and 75 percent of normal rainfall levels over the last three months. Meanwhile, many parts of the state have seen more 90-degree days than usual. Worcester has only seen four (five is normal, and the record in a single year is 18), but Boston has had 14 compared to a normal of 12, according to the weather service.

Many communities have also declared water bans. As of Wednesday, communities that are part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority were still unrestricted with the Quabbin and Wachusett reservoirs at near full capacity. Although residents were still being encouraged to conserve water.

There may be slight relief on the horizon: there's a 20 to 30 percent chance of showers through Monday in Worcester County, and a slightly higher 40 percent chance in the Boston area, according to the National Weather Service.