soil moisture

The partnership between USDA and NASA has been invigorated by the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December. "This is the third MOU I'm aware of, and it's a long line of cooperation between USDA and NASA; especially with soil moisture," noted Mike Cosh, research hydrologist with the Agricultural Research Service ...

After weeks of weather that didn’t feel like winter, the chill of season has returned. Temperatures, specifically the overnight lows, have cooled off considerably compared to the numbers we saw just a few days ago. When it comes to precipitation, the past couple of days have been quiet across the northwest. But ...

Despite recent rain and snow showers, the Northwest remains very dry. The latest topsoil numbers from the USDA have 92% of the state of Oregon Abnormally Dry, 84% under a Moderate Drought, 69% of the state under a D-2, or Severe Drought, while nearly 30% of the state is under a D-3 or Extreme Drought ...

Snow accumulation has been fairly light across not only the west, but much of the country. "In the western area, still very early in the season but snow cover is so important to water supply which leads  to irrigation water the following spring and summer," said USDA Meteorologist, Brad Rippey. ...

When it comes to conservation efforts by the USDA, in what areas is the Department focusing on now and into the future? "Certainly irrigation technology is moving very quickly," said Kevin Norton is acting Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service ...

When taking a look at the latest picture of pasture and rangeland conditions nationwide, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey said fields continue to dry out. "Conditions across the country relatively steady as we head toward the end of the season ...

The results of a long, hot, dry summer became official Thursday, as the USDA declared an Extreme Drought, or D-3 designation for Central Washington, stretching from Okanogan County to the Oregon border. National Weather Service Meteorologist Marilyn Lohmann said the new designation follows the rain shadow created by the Cascades ...

Many across the region were spoiled with temperatures dropping considerably Sunday and early this week. But hopes for an early fall will quickly fade this week as we’ll see temperatures anywhere from 5-10 degrees above normal. Marilyn Lohmann meteorologist with the National Weather Service said the Northwest will see a strong high pressure systems settle in, preventing rain makers from moving in

According to the USDA, Pasture and Rangeland continue to decline nationwide. Meteorologist, Brad Rippey, said they've reported the lowest pasture and rangeland conditions nationally since the 2012 drought. With 36% of the nation's pastures and rangelands in good to excellent condition, a 5 point week over week drop ...

Just a few days into summer, and very summer like heat is bearing down on the Inland Northwest. High pressure has settled into the Northwest, allowing for a lot of sunshine, and in many cases temperatures in the upper 70s to low 90s. These sunny, dry conditions have unfortunately dried out soil conditions across much of the area ...