Despite Showers, Drought Remains In Oregon

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 lack of rain brought a return to drought conditions and high fire danger.  Several inches of rain are needed over the next three months to erase the drought.  Recent rain, while appreciated, didn't help much.  Robin Fox, with the National Weather Service, expects La Nina to return.

"There's about a 66% chance of this happening, and to persist through the winter season even into January."

During La Nina, the Jet Stream moves north, bringing more storms and cooler weather into the region, which may help reverse the drought.

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