Half of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to a recent report from the Department of Environmental Services. The state agency is urging water suppliers to track drought conditions and to ask individuals to conserve water.

The state has put out guidance for municipalities on lawn-watering restrictions.

Restrictions can go into place in parts of the state that are experiencing a drought to avoid a situation where residents are watering their lawns, even as nearby wells go dry.

In April, most wells that are monitored by the state were below typical levels.

The state is in slightly better shape than in mid-April, when abnormally dry and drought conditions were spread throughout the entire state. Last month, rainfall was at nearly normal levels, which helped alleviate drought conditions in about half of the state. But the forecast is calling for only one to six inches for the next 90 days, in a year with below-average rainfall so far.

The state is also predicting slightly above average temperatures in the central and southern parts of the state, which could worsen drought conditions.

The forecast also indicates that places in the state already experiencing drought can expect it to last through the summer as temperatures in those regions are expected to be above normal.

Drought is expected to persist in the western part of the state, including parts of Sullivan, Grafton and Coos counties.

— AMANDA GOKEE/NEW HAMPSHIRE BULLETIN