![The Wet Spring Helped, But Drought Persists In Oregon, Idaho](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/03/Dry-Drought-Creek-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The Wet Spring Helped, But Drought Persists In Oregon, Idaho
April and May combined for the 4th wettest on record for Oregon. But that doesn’t mean the region is done with drought. Dr. Joe Casola, NOAA’s Western Regional Climate Services Director, said all of that moisture helped.
“Streams had a lot of drought improvement. However, there is drought persistent in southern parts of Oregon and southern parts of Idaho, and that is anticipated to continue throughout the summertime.”
He added it’s just a numbers game at this point. Central and southern Oregon, specifically, won’t get enough rain to recover from three years of persistent drought.
“Given that the average precipitation for July and August are so little, the numbers that you’d need would be astronomical for, let’s say, southern Oregon. The reality is they’re not going to recover from drought this water year.”
Casola predicts most of the west will see above average temperatures with below average rainfall this summer.
If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com
More From PNW Ag Network
![Oregon: South Coast Closes for Razor Clam Harvesting](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2023/11/attachment-Oregon-Razor-Clam.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![PNW Wheat Farmers Lead in National Wheat Yield Contest](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/03/Wheat-Harvest-5-1024x576-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![PNW Canola Harvest in a Tough Spot](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/03/Canola-2019-5.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bipartisan Legislation to Help Specialty Crops](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2021/03/Tree-Fruit-Blossom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Safety First, a Message for the 4th From Oregon State](http://townsquare.media/site/133/files/2023/06/attachment-IMAGE.Keep_.it_.Legal_.Keep_.it_.Safe_.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Update: Klamath Water Case](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2023/05/attachment-Untitled-design-2023-05-11T163535.153.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pendleton, Heppner, Umatilla Get Grants to Battle Wildfires](http://townsquare.media/site/136/files/2023/05/attachment-brush-fire-benton-county-district-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![PNW Honey Production Up 2% from 2021](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2020/07/Farmers-Market-Honey-Stand.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![USDA Announces Wildfire Prevention Investments](http://townsquare.media/site/1144/files/2022/09/attachment-Wildfire-2022-4.jpeg?w=980&q=75)