Above Average Rainfall Did Not Help

The U.S. Drought Monitor has recently released a heat map of the Northwest indicating the intensity of drought throughout the states. California’s recent above-average rainfall is expected to have minimal impact on the overall drought of the community. The report stated, “During the weekend, residual moisture associated with Hurricane Dolores fueled showers and thunderstorms across southwestern California and western Arizona leading to locally heavy rainfall accumulations and flash flooding, despite well-above-average precipitation in southern California during the past 90 days, recent rainfall has had little impact on the overall drought situation in the state.” The report says the three-month accumulation of rain in southern California had little positive improvement to the drought conditions of the state.

A recent report from the N.C.E.I. says the west is experiencing the warmest June on record. According to the report, “on a state level, California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington all experienced their hottest average-temperature Junes on record since 1895.” Continuous deficits of rainfall through the region causes concern for crops in Eastern and Central Washington.

You can read the full article here and view the heat maps of the region.