Mild drought declared in western Mass. despite recent storms

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Despite the thunderstorms we had on Wednesday, one section of Massachusetts has been identified as being in a mild drought.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper has declared a Level 1-Mild Drought in the Western Region of Massachusetts, which specifically means Berkshire County.

Several factors were considered in the decision to declare the Level-1 condition including precipitation, groundwater levels, streamflow, lakes and impoundments, evapotranspiration, and fire potential. During a mild drought, below-normal conditions are just setting in, and impacts are slowly starting to be seen across the region.

22News Storm Team Meteorologist Chris Bouzakis shares, “It’s not going to have any effect on any water problems, it’s just kind of giving a heads up to people in general and farmers that the ground is starting to get a little dry, just a heads up you might want to water your lawns a little more, and you might want to water your crops a little more.”

The declaration of a Level 1-Mild Drought will remain in effect until water levels return to normal conditions in the region, and Bouzakis says that following this week’s rain there’s a good chance Berkshire County will be out of drought classification the next time the EEA asses drought levels.

All other regions of the state, including right here in the Connecticut River Valley, the Central part of the state, the Northeast, Southeast, Cape Cod, and the Islands – remain in Level 0-Normal conditions.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

Heath Kalb is a reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Heath on X @HeathKalb and view his bio to see more of his work.

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