Drought Information Statement for Eastern Washington & North Idaho Valid April 18, 2024 Issued By: NWS Spokane, WA Contact Information: w-otx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by May 16, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/otx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. DROUGHT PERSISTS ACROSS THE INLAND NW Expansion of Moderate Drought over the northern Cascades Degradation of Drought over the central ID Panhandle U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for eastern Washington and north Idaho Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 7am EDT April 16, 2024 Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): a portion of central Idaho Panhandle, near 1% D2 (Severe Drought): central Idaho Panhandle, near 10% D1 (Moderate Drought): Near the Cascade Crest, parts of northeast WA, and areas of the ID Panhandle, near 23% D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of east slopes of Cascades, Blue Mountains, and a sliver of extreme eastern WA, near 29% NONE: Near 37% in central & eastern WA! Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4 week change map for eastern Washington and north Idaho Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change No Change: parts of extreme northeast WA, east slopes of north Cascades, and much of Idaho Panhandle. Drought Improved: Northeast WA, north central ID. Drought degraded: east slopes of the northern Cascades and sliver of central ID. Last 30 Days Precipitation Precipitation since mid March was above normal for portions of central WA and north central ID. Deficits in precipitation were pronounced near the crest of the Cascades and northeast WA into north ID. For the Water Year - since Oct 1, 2023 Precipitation Water Year Precipitation reflects the long term deficits in precipitation near the crest of the Cascades and over the central ID Panhandle. Last 30 Days Temperature Temperatures since mid March trended above normal across the region by by 2 to 4 degrees. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stream flows have been near to above normal across the unregulated rivers across the Inland NW due to the mild temperatures and runoff from mountain snowmelt. Agricultural Impacts Fieldwork started. Fruit trees were blooming in central WA. Grass showed good growth yet winter wheat needed more rain to improve in parts of the Columbia Basin. Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mountain Snow Impacts Snowpack remains below normal across the Inland NW spanning from 56% to near 77% of normal for Snow Water Equivalent. Mountain snowpack peaks by April 1st. Mitigation Actions WA declared a Drought Emergency for much of the state on April 16th. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Stream flows over the past 7 days have been near to above normal across the unregulated rivers across the Inland Northwest due to the mild temperatures and runoff from mountain snowmelt. More variable steam flows were seen on the controlled rivers like portions of the mid Columbia and Pend Oreille Rivers. Agricultural Conditions and Impacts Soil moisture remains drier than normal over the Cascades and the central Idaho Panhandle. Crop moisture was near normal for most areas except above normal for the southern Idaho Panhandle. Fieldwork started. Fruit trees were blooming in central WA. Grass showed good growth yet winter wheat needed more rain to improve in parts of the Columbia Basin. Mountain Snowpack Conditions and Impacts Snowpack remains below normal across the Inland NW spanning from 56% to near 77% of normal for Snow Water Equivalent. Peak mountain snowpack is April 1st. Mild temperatures over the last month has led to continued snowmelt at the mid slope elevations with snow persisting at the higher elevations. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Here is a forecast of precipitation for the Pacific NW for the upcoming week. Rounds of showers are expected for most of the mountain areas for the upcoming week while the lowlands of Columbia Basin remain dry. The 8-14 day outlook leans seasonal temperatures and above normal precipitation for the end of April. The monthly outlook for May leans toward milder temperatures with near to below normal precipitation. Long-Range Outlooks The April - May - June outlook leans toward a 50-60% chance of above normal temperatures. Precipitation is leaning toward 33-40% of below normal for the Cascades. Equal chance of near, below, to above normal precipitation seen to the east. Long-Range Outlooks The June - July - August outlook leans toward a 50-60% chance of above normal temperatures. Precipitation is leaning toward 40-50% of below normal for below normal precipitation. Drought Outlook Where drought exists in the Cascades and north Idaho is likely to persist for the month and the season.