Warning of severe drought in the Pacific Northwest in 2022
3/4/2022 12:21:24 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Relief, Response & Restrictions
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Asotin County, WA
Benton County, WA
Chelan County, WA
Columbia County, WA
Douglas County, WA
Ferry County, WA
Franklin County, WA
Garfield County, WA
Grant County, WA
Kittitas County, WA
Klickitat County, WA
Okanogan County, WA
Pend Oreille County, WA
Spokane County, WA
Stevens County, WA
Walla Walla County, WA
Whitman County, WA
Yakima County, WA
Start Date: 3/2/2022
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Water and climate experts from Oregon, Washington and Idaho announced at a news conference hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that parts of the region should prepare for a summer of severe drought, wildfires and historically low stream flows. Seventy-four percent of the Pacific Northwest is in drought with nearly 20% in extreme or exceptional drought.
Oregon is expected to be hard hit as winter storms missed the state, leaving central and southern Oregon and southern Idaho in drought and without good snowpack. Most reservoirs in Oregon are 10% to 30% lower than they were at this time in 2021, with some at historic lows, meaning little water for crop irrigation.
Associated Press News (New York), March 2, 2022
Sources
