PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 30, 2025
Rain in late October improved drought conditions in Maine’s western mountains but wasn’t enough to stop extreme drought from expanding to cover much of the southern part of the state, including Portland, according to newly released data. All of coastal Maine — other than the southernmost tip of York County — is now in extreme drought, according to an update Thursday from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Nearly 43% of the state is experiencing extreme conditions, a jump from 36% a week ago. Only northern Aroostook County and a small area in Penobscot and Oxford counties are in the less-severe moderate drought category.