MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 5, 2025
This year, Maine saw its sixth-driest summer on record. As of Oct. 2, more than half of the state was in severe or extreme drought. The Maine agricultural economy is grappli in July and August and now threatens next year’s harvests. The drought has caused reductions in hay crops, shortened the season for many row crops, resulting in smaller harvests, and it could hurt next year’s berry and tree fruit. Most of Maine will need an extra 6 to 12 inches of rain above normal levels — 125% to 175% of the seasonal average — before the ground freezes in order to come out of drought, National Weather Service hydrologist Sarah Jamison said.