Assessment of the 2020-2023 Drought in New England and New York
From 2020–2023, the Northeast Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) experienced an extended period of impactful drought. This included the 2020 and 2022 droughts, which brought Severe to Extreme Drought (D2–D3) conditions to parts of the Northeast, especially eastern Massachusetts.
In the aftermath, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed hydrological assessments of the 2020 and 2022 Northeast droughts. This project will expand on the USGS hydrological drought assessments and include a description of synoptic weather patterns, drought impacts, and responses from 2020-2023 in New England and New York.
The Northeast Regional Climate Center will prepare this assessment in a “story map” format. This approach will facilitate access and use by a wider audience, serve as a historical reference narrative, and provide a basis for future drought awareness communications.
For more information, please contact Crystal Stiles (crystal.stiles@noaa.gov).
Research Snapshot
Art DeGaetano, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
What to expect from this research
- Compile meteorological, hydrological, and impacts data for the 2020-2023 drought period from Northeast DEWS partners.
- Coordinate with regional partners and prepare an assessment of the drought.
- Publish an assessment of the 2020–2023 drought period in the Northeast U.S. as a story map. The software/template will be developed in a way that will facilitate publication of future assessments and informational releases.
- Evaluate potential uses of the assessment with regional partners.
