Birkel speaks to Maine Public about drought

Sean Birkel, research assistant professor at the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, assistant professor in UMaine Extension and state climatologist, was interviewed by Maine Public about the current drought in the state. Birkel said there have been reports of wells going dry, particularly in the southwestern part of Maine, and more heat is in the forecast for the next 10 days. Birkel said that the best opportunity for rain comes in the form of afternoon thunderstorms that have a limited impact on a small number of areas at this time of year, but the storm a few weeks ago across much of Maine was an exception. “We really need several of those events. But the precipitation deficits, again, they’re now, in some areas, several inches. And this time of year it’s very difficult to make that up,” Birkel said.