Drought Information Statement for Eastern Washington & North Idaho Valid August 15, 2024 Issued By: NWS Spokane, WA Contact Information: w-otx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by September 19, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/otx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. DROUGHT PERSISTS ACROSS THE INLAND NW Extreme drought developed in spotty areas of central WA Severe drought remains in central WA and the central ID Panhandle Abnormally dry to Moderate drought spans across the rest of the Inland NW U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): spotty areas in the lee of the central WA Cascades, 3% D2 (Severe Drought): central Idaho Panhandle and lee of the Cascades, more than 16% D1 (Moderate Drought): central WA, extreme eastern WA, and much of the ID Panhandle, more than 62% D0: (Abnormally Dry): Reminder of the Inland NW, near 19% NONE: 0% Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change No Change: Majority of the Inland NW Drought Improved: none Drought degraded: pockets of central WA, eastern WA and north-central ID Last 30 Days Precipitation Precipitation over the last 30 days has been spotty due to passing showers and thunderstorms and focused over the mountains in the Idaho Panhandle and northeast WA. Little to no precipitation has fallen over central WA. Last 90 Days Precipitation Precipitation deficits persist across central WA over the last 90 days, meanwhile above normal precipitation was observed over portions of the ID Panhandle. Last 7 Days and 30 Days Temperature Temperatures the last week have been warmer than normal in eastern WA and more seasonal temperatures over north ID. Meanwhile it’s been mostly warmer than normal for the last 30 days by 4-6 degrees regionwide. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Stream flows over the past 7 days remain below normal across north-central WA and parts of the eastern WA into the central ID Panhandle, and have been for several months. Above normal water temperatures reported. Agricultural Impacts Drier than normal soil moisture has expanded across the Inland NW. Crop moisture index was Severely Dry in central WA and Abnormally Dry in extreme eastern WA and north ID. Pastures were suffering. Wheat harvest was underway, yet below normal yields of dryland crops are expected in many areas. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire season is underway with several large fires across the Inland NW. Significant wildland fire potential remains above normal through September. Mitigation Actions WA declared a Drought Emergency for much of the state on April 16th due to the low mountain snowpack and projected decrease in water supply. City of Spokane enacted Level 2 water conservation guidelines to limit outdoor watering. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Stream flows over the past 7 days remain below normal across north-central WA and parts of eastern WA into the central ID Panhandle, and have been for several months. More normal stream flows were noted across parts of eastern WA and the northern ID Panhandle. Being a dry period with above normal temperatures had helped to contribute with reports of above normal water temperatures. Agricultural Conditions and Impacts Drier than normal soil moisture has expanded across the Inland NW, especially over the Cascades with soil moisture percentiles in single digit percentiles. Crop moisture index was Severely Dry in central WA and Abnormally Dry in extreme eastern WA and north ID. Pastures were suffering. Wheat harvest was underway, yet below normal yields of dryland crops are expected across Adams, parts of Douglas and Lincoln counties. Irrigated crops were doing well. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire season is underway with several large fires across the Inland NW, including the Pioneer fire on Lake Chelan, Swawilla on the Colville Reservation, Cougar Creek in the Blue Mountains, and Gwen in the southern ID Panhandle. The significant wildland fire potential remains above normal across the region for August and September. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Here is a forecast of precipitation for the Pacific NW for the upcoming week. Chances of showers and thunderstorms increase over the weekend, followed by spotty showers for the upcoming work week. The 8-14 day outlook favors 30-40% of above normal temperatures 40-50% of above normal precipitation for late August. Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage SEPTEMBER is favoring equal chances to slightly above normal temperatures and equal chances of near, below, to above normal precipitation across the Inland NW. Long-Range Outlooks The latest seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage SEP-OCT-NOV outlook has equal chances to slightly above normal temperatures and equal chances to above normal precipitation across the Inland NW. Drought Outlook The Monthly Drought Outlook show drought is likely to persist or develop across the region. The Seasonal Drought Outlook shows drought likely to improve or end in eastern WA and persist over north Idaho.