The latest drought report shows that nearly two-thirds of New Hampshire is in moderate drought.
The U.S. Drought Monitor report includes data collected through 8 a.m. Tuesday, so it doesn’t show the affects of the heavy rains earlier this week.
Still, the hot, dry weather experienced over much of the summer has meant largely dry conditions.
The report shows that 62 percent of the Granite State, including parts of southern New Hampshire, is in a moderate drought.
"If conditions continue to be very hot and we’re not receiving any rain, that could get us up to a level two or in severe drought," said Stacey Herbold of the Department of Environmental Services.
"Drought tends to develop over multiple weeks, maybe months, and by the time you see the impacts, it can be too late," state climatologist Mary Stampone said.
Officials said the center of the state — primarily Belknap, Merrimack and Rockingham counties — is of most concern.
Experts said residents should take precautions, but they’re optimistic the state isn’t approaching extreme levels of drought such as the last two summers.
"This year, we had a pretty normal spring and a pretty normal snow melt, so I’d say we’re better off now than we were then," Herbold said.
"There are lots of gardens and agriculture across the state, and as these conditions intensify or persist, they can have other impacts, like impacting stream flow or lake levels and ground water," Stampone said.