Posted on 05/24/2022 9:14:29 AM PDT by blam
Drought is expected to impact much of the Pacific Northwest this summer, including areas in eastern Washington, southern Oregon and southern Idaho, according to climatology and water officials.
A recent map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that about 54% of Washington is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions, with about 25% of the state in severe or extreme drought, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported.
Washington and Oregon recorded above-normal precipitation levels and below-normal temperatures in April, which brought gains to snowpack in some areas. But state climatology experts predict it will be warmer and drier than normal in summer months.
Washington Climatologist Nick Bond said Wednesday that precipitation over the last 90 days has been at or above normal across much of the state. Exceptions can be seen in Okanogan, Douglas and Grant counties in the north-central part of the state, where conditions remained on the dry side, he said.
Bond said there are early indications that the summer will be on the warm side, but he said the chance of a severe heat wave is unlikely. The Northwest recorded record high temperatures in late June and early July 2021.
“It would be quite surprising to have anything of that magnitude come up this year,” he said.
“There was a tremendous toll on human life in the Pacific Northwest with last year’s heat wave, and I trust that we’ve learned some from that about what kind of actions can be taken to help people when those sorts of events come along,” Bond said.
Recent precipitation in the Northwest has staved off the start of the fire season, but fire potential remains above-normal, according to Eric Wise with the Northwest Area Coordination Center. He said the potential is driven by drought conditions and projections of warmer and drier weather in coming months.
The area of most immediate concern is central Oregon, he said.
“As we head into the summer months, that concern starts to spread up into central Washington and southwestern Oregon,” Wise said.
Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Jaclyn Hancock said full water deliveries are expected for irrigation in the Yakima River Basin.
Jeff Marti with the Washington state Department of Ecology said some areas could see water restrictions in coming months, including irrigation areas in Okanogan, Spokane and Walla Walla.
And.... what will the weather be like next weekend?
Abnormally dry conditions?
Eastern Washington was, for the most part dry desert until 70’s. FDR’s program to electrify the country also provided the dams necessary to store and transport water for irrigation and transform this area into viable farmland. Old relief maps used to show how brown the area was but now it is mostly green.
Here in my area of eastern Washington our average rainfall is 6-8 inches.
Seattle Rainfall...
This Month - 3.18
Normal - 1.43
Since Jan 1 - 21.59
Normal - 18.32
Since Oct 2021 - 41.69
Normal - 34.26
March, April, and May have had BELOW average monthly temperatures for all three months.
In 2022, the daily high temperature has exceeded 69 degrees F only two times.
One day in April - 70 degrees F
One day in May - 71 degrees F
Here in Spokane, the winter was unusually cold and wet, and temps are still low with good rainfall. The main concern is that it won’t get warm enough for wheat and corn to give a big yield.
State Climatology Experts are just as good as the State Covid Modelers.
If it does not happen do any of the “experts” get fired?
If only there was a nearby water source.
They’re not sure yet.
For Sat it’s been alternating between rain and sun every other day.
No snow, thank God.
It wouldn’t be so cold and wet if not for Global Warming.
Here in southern Oregon, we’ve had an UNUSUALLY wet Spring !
Plus, we RARELY get rain during the summer. Except maybe one thunderstorm in August, which can often start forest fires.
So, this report is ALL WET!!
Yeah, yeah. I leaped on a portion of a day dry enough to contemplate mowing my lawn and ended up with tire tracks in the mud and a mower clogged with wet mush. I’ll look back on it longingly in mid-August but at the moment I’ll be happy not to see the house get underway.
We are still firing up our woodstove most mornings on Whidbey Island WA. Typical Pacific NorthWET, but even colder than normal.
Activating HAARP heat dome in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
“US Western Megadrought Worst In 1,200 Years, Scientist Warn”
Boy, if only there were desalination facilities around with pumping stations to send fresh water inland. Like a pipeline for water.
I don’t know about Eastern Washington, but in Western Washington we have had rain almost every day thoughout winter to May. Did they open up all the dams and let it all drain down the Columbia River?
Gee....just awful..... maybe Antifa and BLM in Portland or up in Seattle can help out......
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