Final Topsoil Report Of 2025 Shows Dry Conditions In The Northwest

The USDA released its final topsoil moisture report for the year last week, and it reflects late summer and early fall drought impacts.

“Nationally, we will finish the year with topsoil moisture across the lower 48 states rated 38% very-short to short compared to last year at this time," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "That's up 3 percentage points.”

Rippey added significant flash drought in recent weeks in the south impacted those national numbers.

“A couple of states, Louisiana and Georgia, both above 80% very short to short. In fact, every Gulf North Coast state from Texas all the way to Florida showing topsoil moisture rated at least 50%, very short to short.”

That drought, Rippey said, is extending into the southern Atlantic and parts of the Midwest.

When looking at Northwest numbers, 48% of Idaho’s soil moisture was very-short to short, while that figure was 49% in Washington, and 56% of Oregon’s soil moisture was considered very-short to short to end the month of November.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com