Northwest Soils Continue To Dry Out

As summer starts in the Northwest, area soils continue to dry out.  The latest numbers from USDA show only 13% of Washington has soil moisture numbers on par for where they should be this time of year.  86% of the state is considered Abnormally Dry, or a D0 designation, while nearly 50% of the state is under a D1, or Moderate Drought.

Oregon continues to dry out as well, with 35% of the state under a D1 designation, and for the first time this year, a D2, or Severe Drought, is being reported in the state.  The driest parts of Oregon are found in the Northwest and Northeast corners of the state.

In Idaho, 73% of the state is Abnormally Dry, 29% is under a Moderate Drought, while a tiny portion in the Rockies is under a Severe Drought.

Millions Under A Drought Designation Across The Northwest

The USDA says an estimated 8.3 million people across the Northwest are impacted by drought.  The Southwest continues to have the worst drought conditions in the nation, with Extreme Drought designations stretching from California, through Arizona, New Mexico into Texas.

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