SALEM, Ore. – It will take some time for recent rains to make up for the state’s exceptionally dry summer. Precipitation for the month of August was well below normal according to the Oregon Water Conditions Report, issued by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Some areas received as little as 5 percent of normal precipitation. Areas west of the Cascades and northwestern Oregon were especially dry.
In the past 30 days temperatures have been generally warmer than normal, particularly in the northeast, southwest, and southeast corners of the state.
In the past two weeks temperatures have been cooler at the coast, in the Cascades and in the north central region. The exceptions were eastern and southeastern regions of the state, where temperatures were up to six degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.
Over the next 8 to 14 days, the federal Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an increased probability of above-normal temperatures across most of Oregon. The most recent three-month outlook still indicates increased chances of above-normal temperatures statewide.
Drought conditions not yet over in Oregon
The most recent update to the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates continued drought conditions across Oregon. According to the Monitor’s Sept. 4, 2018 report, 100% of the state is listed as abnormally dry, with 84% in severe drought and almost 22% in extreme drought.
At the start of September, nine Oregon counties were under state-declared drought status. Twelve counties as of Sept. 5 met U.S. Department of Agriculture’s drought designation.
Oregon statewide water year precipitation at snow-monitoring sites continues to hover at just under 86% of normal. The lowest values are in the Rogue/Umpqua basins at 76% of normal for the water year. The highest amounts of water-year precipitation are currently in the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Willow basins with 102% of normal.
