Most of Maine received above average precipitation in February; however, the amount of precipitation was not sufficient enough to lessen drought conditions. In fact, the 30 inches of snow (3 inches of water equivalent) received in Caribou in the northern part of the state on 2-5 February resulted only in a monthly total that was 1.7 inches above average. This amount fell well short of the precipitation needed to make-up for the very dry conditions in January, unofficially the 3rd driest January on record for the state as a whole. Other parts of the state received less than an inch above average in precipitation with locations in central Maine receiving about an inch below average. Storm tracks during the month resulted in a greater impact either in coastal areas or in the far north.
Much of the state ended up with winter (December, January, February) precipitation totals that were from about 1 inch to over 2 inches below average with Augusta (southern interior climatic division) receiving about 4 inches below average for the winter. Consequently, stream flow levels and groundwater levels remain below the 25th percentile in most places around the state. These conditions have led to most of the northern half of the state being in moderate drought conditions and most of the rest of the state being under dry conditions by the end of the month. Only Down East (Washington County) remains close to normal as far as drought conditions.
Luckily, the water content of the snowpack around the state is close to average, which will greatly help the recharge of water systems as the warm season approaches and especially for the time period prior to leaf-out. This may lessen drought conditions in the upcoming months should precipitation levels remain close to average.
For a more detailed summary of climatic conditions in Maine visit the newsletter page of the Maine State Climate Office home page at http://www.umaine.edu/maineclimate/.
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