Vermont Faces Drought Conditions as Dry Weather Prevails
More than 75% of Vermont is currently classified as “abnormally dry,” with about a quarter of the state experiencing drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor data. Southern Vermont is among the hardest-hit areas, particularly Rutland, Windsor, Bennington, and Windham counties, where many regions are under “moderate drought,” and parts of Bennington and Windham counties are facing “severe drought.”
Though Vermont’s drought intensity pales in comparison to the extreme conditions affecting neighboring states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, it has raised fire risk levels. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has extended a debris burning ban in southern parts of the state since October 28 due to the perilous combination of dry conditions and high winds. The National Weather Service recently issued several "red flag" fire warnings, but as humidity has risen and winds have calmed, the immediate risk has lessened.
In November, Burlington has recorded just 0.27 inches of rainfall, starkly below its historical average of 1.66 inches. Similarly, Bennington, which soaked up 16 inches of rain during a wet summer, has seen a mere 3.7 inches from September to mid-November, far less than its average of over 9 inches for that period.
Forecasts for the upcoming week indicate that Vermont might finally receive some relief, with predictions of 1 to 1.5 inches of rain and potential snow in higher elevations. While this wet weather could alleviate fire risks and improve ground moisture, experts caution that it remains uncertain whether these conditions will fully resolve the drought situation across the state.
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