Weather

After the summer the Northwest has experienced, it should come as no surprise that pasture conditions in the area don’t look great to start the month of October.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey noted some of the driest lands are in the Great Plains, and out here in the West.   “Leadi...

The 2024 season was a struggle for many wheat growers across the Northwest.  Cat Salois with the McGregor Company said yields were “OK” thanks to precipitation that was just “OK” throughout the year.  She noted while late winter and early spring snow and rainfall was good for the region, April, May and June were all very dry months which hurt many spring wheat crops.   As growers focus on making t

This year’s drought has impacted a variety of commodities in several ways.  One crop starting to feel the pressure is hay.  According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, as the drought map expanded in August, more and more of the nation’s hay crop was impacted.   “20% was the drought c...

The full impact of this summer’s heat wave is still unknown on crops across Central and Eastern Washington.  Independent certified crop advisersaid he is concerned about the impact of July's extended heat wave.  He said, yes, July is normally a hot month, but the intensity and length of this July was anything but normal.    “The one grower...

Were you one of the roughly 150 million Americans who were under severe heat alerts last week and yes, fall was approaching, but over the South and much of the nation's midsection last week, summer did not want to let go, and it brought record heat to a lot of places...

This weekend, for many is considered the unofficial end of summer, and it looks like Mother Nature will try to cooperate.  Temperatures are expected to climb back into the 90s with some locations forecasting triple digits this weekend.  USDA me...

This spring, most of Oregon was out of drought, but that changed fast over the summer.  Larry O'Neil, director of the Oregon Climate Service, says July cooked the state.   "Temperatures were much warmer for the whole month of July," O'Neil pointed out, "so July was an historically warm month for much of the Pacific Northwest."   The ...

Oregon could be in for extended summer weather, if Department of Forestry predictions hold true.  ODF Meteorologist Pete Parsons said much of Oregon will see average temperatures next month.   “About a half a degree above normal to a degree and a half above normal for around the state is the forecast for September. Precipitation: We’r...

Did you know that there are more than just professional firefighters offering defenses against the deadly wildfires that threaten us each year?

Amidst the looming threat of a prolonged and smoky fire season in Washington, this article sheds light on the hidden toll wildfires take on mental health, exploring the often-overlooked consequences of heavy smoke and its impact on well-being.