Northwest Home To Some Of The Driest Soils In The U.S.

As we get ready to say goodbye to September, it should come as no surprise that soils are dry, if not really dry, across the United States.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey takes a look at the latest topsoil numbers, as of Sunday September 21st.

“Topsoil moisture surplus number nationally, 6%. It's actually up 1% from the previous week on the strength of some of the rainfall across the middle part of the country," Rippey said.  "On the flip side, though, 45% of the country experiencing very short to short topsoil moisture on September 21st. That is also up one percentage point from last week.”

Rippey pointed out it should come as no surprise that the area with significant very-short to short topsoil moisture numbers, is right here in the Northwest.

“All five states reporting topsoil moisture well above 50%, very-short to short, led by Washington state at 92%. Not too far behind, we have Oregon at 80%, Wyoming at 78%, and Montana at 72%.”

You’ll notice Rippey did not mention Idaho.  The Gem State is reporting 48% of its topsoil very-short to short.

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