Drought Information Statement for Eastern Washington & North Idaho Valid June 21, 2024 Issued By: NWS Spokane, WA Contact Information: w-otx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by July 19, 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 CONTINUES ACROSS THE INLAND NW Extreme drought improved over the central ID Panhandle, yet severe drought remains Moderate drought expands across central WA U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): central Idaho Panhandle, less than 9% D1 (Moderate Drought): central WA, parts of northeast WA, and much of the ID Panhandle, 32% D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of eastern WA, 40% NONE: Near 19% in eastern WA Data Valid: 06/18/24 Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change No Change: parts of eastern WA and much of north ID Drought Improved: central ID Panhandle Drought degraded: central WA Last 30 Days Precipitation Last 30 Days were much drier than normal in the lee of the Cascades in central WA and also in southeast WA with precipitation less than 50% of normal. Last 90 Days Precipitation Last 90 Days shows the longer range precipitation deficits not only across central WA, but extending into north ID with precipitation percent of normal at 75% or lower for April through June. Last 7 Days and 30 Days Temperature Temperatures have been cooler than normal for the last week and the last month across the Inland NW especially across the northern tier counties. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Stream flows have near to below normal across the region as runoff from mountain snow has slowed. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is low yet crop moisture is near normal. Haying has begun. Winter Wheat looks good. Fire Hazard Impacts Fine fuels continue to cure, and spotty grass fires have occurred on dry windy days. The significant wildland fire potential looks normal for Inland NW through July with increased risk for north ID by Aug. Mitigation Actions WA declared a Drought Emergency for much of the state on April 16th due to the low mountain snowpack and projected decrease in water supply. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Stream flows over the past 7 days have been near to below normal across much of the region. It has been a dry period with below normal precipitation. Runoff from mountain snowpack is slowing down. Agricultural Conditions and Impacts Soil moisture remains drier than normal across much of the Inland NW, especially over central WA and the ID Panhandle. Crop moisture index was near normal for many areas. Despite the lack of precipitation, hay cutting was underway. Cattle on pasture were doing well. Winter wheat looked good and began to head in some areas. Fire Hazard Impacts Fine fuels continue to cure and dry this month, and spotty grass fires have occurred on dry windy days. The significant wildland fire potential outlook looks normal for the Inland NW with an elevated risk in western WA by July and expanding into the southern ID Panhandle by August. Precipitation Forecast It should remain dry through the weekend and early next week. Mountain showers will increase by Wednesday and Thursday. The 8-14 day outlook favors above normal precipitation and below normal temperatures to close out the end of June. Monthly Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage JULY is favoring near to above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for the Inland NW. Long-Range Outlooks The latest seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage JULY-AUG-SEP outlook has shifted its trend with equal chances to slightly above normal temperatures and equal chances to slightly below normal precipitation across the Inland NW. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The Monthly and Seasonal Drought Outlook show drought is likely to persist and expand across the region.