CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Western Massachusetts saw some much-needed rain overnight, but did it help with the drought we have been experiencing?

Our last drought monitor update was last Thursday, which expanded the area of “severe drought” to a good portion of western Massachusetts. As the dry conditions continue to worsen, the area of severe drought continues to move farther west. Still, most of Berkshire County is not yet even in a drought at all, but is rather just considered “abnormally dry.”

On Sunday night into Monday morning, most of us picked up 0.5” to 0.75” of rain. While that does help, we are not chipping away at our rainfall deficit fast enough. By Monday, we should have reached 27.25” of rain in the lower Pioneer Valley so far this year, but we have only received 20.9” of rain so far. Our rainfall deficit now stands at 6.35” and climbing.

This week is expected to be mainly dry, so our deficit will get worse before it gets better.