Drought Threatens Northwest Crops
Mar 18, 2010; 4:41 PM ET
While concerns linger about major river flooding in the Midwest and northern Plains following above-normal precipitation this winter, the Northwest has a problem quite the opposite: drought.
Much of the Northwest has been in the throes of a dry spell following a winter of below-normal rain and snow.
The lack of snowpack over the area is leaving farmers worried about their crops. Cherries, apples, grapes and winter wheat are primary crops in the Northwest states.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Walla Walla, Wash., has only recorded 55 percent of its normal precipitation since November and only 4.5 inches of snowfall.
A weak El Niño has given the continental U.S. a more southerly storm track the past few months, so many storms with significant precipitation have missed the Northwestern states.
AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said this sort of dry pattern in the Northwest is not unusual for an El Niño winter.
Farmers in the northwest depend on snowpack to keep their maintain their reservoirs.
OPB News reports that many farmers can rely on stored reservoir water to make up for the lack of rainfall. However, if next winter is also dry, farmers may be in trouble.
The United States drought monitor has the entire state of Idaho and most of Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Utah as being at least abnormally dry.
Slight relief from the dry spell is possible as a weak storm rolls in from the Pacific Sunday into Monday, bringing scattered showers from coastal Washington and Oregon to parts of the interior Northwest.
By AccuWeather.com's Gina Cherundolo
More Weather News
-
Winter Storm Blasts Atlantic Canada
Feb 12, 2012; 4:25 PM ET
In Charlottetown, P.E.I., the storm unloaded 42 cm (17 inches) of snow, 32 cm of it within six hours.
-
Child Rescued from Avalanche in Kosovo
Feb 12, 2012; 4:17 PM ET
The child is reported to be recovering at a hospital in the nearby town of Prizren.
-
Giovanna Winds Up, Sets Aim on Madagascar
Feb 12, 2012; 4:11 PM ET
For Madagascar, there can be no escaping the imminent threat of a large Tropical Cyclone.
-
Deep Alaskan Freeze Gives Way to Mild February
Feb 12, 2012; 4:04 PM ET
Winter has been nothing less than a roller-coaster ride for residents of Alaska.
-
Time-Lapse Video of Snowfall on a Connecticut Golf Course
Feb 12, 2012; 4:00 PM ET
Golfers miss the snowfall on Feb. 11, 2012, that coated the ground of the Oak Hills Golf Course in Norwalk, Conn.
-
Amazing International Snowfall Pictures and Videos
Feb 12, 2012; 3:50 PM ET
AccuWeather Facebook fans share their pictures and video of the snowfall from Bosnia, England and Italy.
-
No Explanation for Pennsylvania's Purple Squirrel
Feb 12, 2012; 3:46 PM ET
The third purple squirrel ever found was released back into the forest on Tuesday.
-
Cozy Up to Your Valentine as Arctic Air Plunges into the US
Feb 12, 2012; 1:15 PM ET
We have an exclusive snuggle index for Valentine's Day weekend as arctic air plunges across the eastern two-thirds of the nation.
-
High Hopes for First Dutch Skating Marathon in 15 Years
Feb 12, 2012; 9:46 AM ET
"If they don't do it this year, who knows when it could happen again."
-
Inside Slider to Bring Rain, Mountain Snow to California
Feb 12, 2012; 7:11 AM ET
A storm system called an "inside slider" will deliver some more rain and snow to the Northwest and California early this week.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 72° | Thermal, CA |
| Low | -13° | Clayton Lake, ME |
| Precip | 0.32" | Salt Lake City, UT |
WeatherWhys®
The "Dead of Winter," the one-month period when normal temperatures reach their lowest levels, has come to an end for much of the United States. Some people may find it odd that the "Dead of Winter" does not encompass the darkest day of the year (the first day of winter). That is due to a seasonal lag in temperatures. More heat continues to be lost than is gained from the start of winter until this time of year.
This Day In Weather History
Savannah, GA (1899)
(12th-13th) 2 in. snowfall, one of 3 snowstorms in past 200 years that re- quired a ruler measurement.
Lake Placid, NY (1980)
Finally some snow. Just in time for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic town.
Rough Weather
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.