Drought Information Statement for Eastern Washington & North Idaho Valid September 19, 2024 Issued By: NWS Spokane, WA Contact Information: w-otx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by October 17, 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. SLIGHT IMPROVEMENTS, YET DROUGHT REMAINS ACROSS THE INLAND NW Extreme drought has improved Severe drought remains in central WA into the central ID Panhandle Drought improves across north-central and northeast WA into the far northern ID Panhandle U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): NONE 0% D2 (Severe Drought): central Idaho Panhandle to the lee of the central Cascades ~ more than 29% D1 (Moderate Drought): much of central central and eastern WA and the ID Panhandle ~ less than 43% D0: (Abnormally Dry): Northcentral and northeast WA, and the far northern ID Panhandle ~ near 28% NONE: 0% Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change No Change: Pockets of the Inland NW Drought Improved: north-central and northeast WA and the far northern ID Panhandle. Drought degraded: pockets eastern WA and the southern ID Panhandle Last 30 Days Precipitation Precipitation over the last 30 days has been concentrated across north-central WA, southeast WA and into the ID Panhandle. Meanwhile much of the Columbia Basin remains drier than normal. Last 90 Days Precipitation Precipitation over the last 90 days has been noticeably wetter near the international border and across north ID, while the Columbia Basin has remained drier than normal. Last 7 Days and 30 Days Temperature Temperatures the last week have been warmer than normal across much of the Inland NW, especially over northeast WA and far northern ID Panhandle. Over the last 30 days, temperatures have been seasonal to slightly warmer than normal. 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 have seen some improvements. Some areas remain below normal especially along the mid Columbia, while others in southeast WA and the southern ID Panhandle have been above normal with the recent rainfall. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains drier than normal across much of the Inland NW, while the Crop moisture index was Severely Dry in central WA and Abnormally Dry in north ID. Pastures had suffered. Crop yields were down this harvest including winter and spring wheat as well as other dryland crops. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire season was coming to a close. Local wildfires are still possible under dry and windy days. The significant wildland fire potential remains near normal for September and October. Mitigation Actions The WA Drought Emergency for much of the state remains in effect. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Stream flows over the past 7 days have seen some improvements. A few areas remain below normal for the lee of the Cascades and much of the mid Columbia and Pend Oreille River Basins. Above normal flows were found across central ID into southeast WA due to the recent precipitation. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid September 18, 2024 Agricultural Conditions and Impacts Soil moisture remains drier than normal across much of the Inland NW, especially in central WA with soil moisture percentiles in single digit percentiles. Crop moisture index remains Severely Dry in central WA and Abnormally Dry in extreme eastern WA and north ID. Pastures had suffered. Crop yields were down this harvest including winter and spring wheat as well as other dryland crops. Irrigated crops were doing well with harvests underway. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire season was coming to a close. Local wildfires are still possible under dry and windy days. The significant wildland fire potential remains near normal for September and October. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Here is a forecast of precipitation for the Pacific NW for the upcoming week. It remains dry and seasonal for much of the Inland NW. Chances of showers will be found near the crest of the Cascades for the upcoming work week. The 8-14 day outlook favors 30-50% of above normal temperatures 30-50% of below normal precipitation for late September. Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage OCTOBER is favoring equal chances of near, below, to above normal temperatures and equal chances to above normal precipitation across the Inland NW. Long-Range Outlooks The latest seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage OCT-NOV-DEC outlook has equal chances of near, above, to below normal temperatures and up to 40% chance of above normal precipitation across the Inland NW. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Monthly Drought Outlook shows drought improving across the Cascades while drought is likely to persist across the rest of the Inland NW. The Seasonal Drought Outlook shows drought likely to improve or end across the Inland NW by late November.