West Coast style weather strikes Northeastern U.S.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this photo taken Thursday July 21, 2016, farmer John Lavoie walks through a drying strawberry patch in Hollis, N.H. Parts of the Northeast are in the grips of a drought that has led to water restrictions, wrought havoc on gardens and raised concerns among farmers.
CONCORD, N.H. >> West Coast style weather is striking the Northeastern U.S.
Heat and drought-like conditions are posing serious concerns for farmers and prompting water use restrictions and bans in some towns. The dry spell is hitting the region from Maine to Pennsylvania. Wildfire flames are lapping at parts of Massachusetts, and Maine is expecting a smaller blueberry crop.
Hardest hit are Massachusetts, western New York, and the southern climes of New Hampshire and Maine.
A second year of below-average rainfall and fewer big storms this year are driving the dry blast of weather.
National weather experts say the drought could persist until the end of October.
