Text Products for DGT Issued by PQR

Drought Information Statement
Issued by NWS Portland, OR
Versions: 1 2 3
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AXUS76 KPQR 142252
DGTPQR
WAC049-069-015-011-059-ORC007-057-041-039-003-053-071-067-009-051-
005-027-047-043-121200-

Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Portland OR
350 PM PDT Tue Sep 14 2021

...DROUGHT UPDATE FOR NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON...

.SYNOPSIS:

Drought conditions continue in Northwest Oregon and Southwest
Washington due to below-average precipitation and above-average
temperatures during spring and summer 2021. The total of March
through August precipitation was only 20 to 60 percent of average.
In addition to the lack of precipitation, temperatures for June,
July, and August were much above average. Although August
temperatures were less extreme than June and July, they were still 1
to 4 degrees above average.

The lack of precipitation and hot summer temperatures resulted in
rapidly-declining streamflow, low soil moisture, and stressed
vegetation in the region. Most creeks and rivers in the region are
at or near record-low streamflow for this time of year.

.IMPACTS:

The impacts of these unusually-dry conditions intensified in June
and July and continued through August. Streamflow was low through
the summer, with many rivers and creeks comparable to 2015 and 2016
levels. This has resulted in restrictions or shortages for some
irrigation districts and municipal water providers, although impacts
vary greatly around the region.

Water temperatures were unusually high in June and July due to the
low streamflow and high air temperatures. Water temperatures
moderated somewhat in August. High water temperatures, especially
when 70 degrees or higher, are detrimental for many aquatic species,
including salmon and steelhead. Forests are dry and concerning in
terms of potential fire conditions. Reservoir storage is lower than
average, and many reservoirs have been drawn down rapidly through
the summer to supply water for downstream demands. Low reservoir
levels will affect some recreation activities through the fall.
Other impacts include reduced agricultural yield and poor pasture
conditions, especially where irrigation water isn`t available.

.LOCAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK:

Prospects for the first significant rainfall of the fall in mid-
September will likely bring some drought relief, particularly in
terms of fire danger, but one storm will not undo 6 months of record-
dry and hot conditions.

Looking beyond the coming week, NOAA`s Climate Prediction Center
(CPC) produces monthly and seasonal outlooks, in which there is a
weighing of the odds of near-normal, above-normal, or below-normal
temperatures and precipitation.

Both the September and the 3-month September-November outlooks show
an enhanced likelihood of above average temperatures. The outlook
for precipitation is less certain, with northwest Oregon and
southwest Washington being on the edge of an area with slightly-
enhanced chances of above-average precipitation for the fall. Long-
term improvement of drought conditions will only happen if the
region sees average to above-average precipitation through the
winter and spring.

NOAA`s Northwest River Forecast Center produces forecasts and
seasonal runoff calculations of streamflow volume for the time
period of April through September for numerous gages in Southwest
Washington and Northwest Oregon. Many watersheds are on pace to see
the lowest April-September streamflow volume on record.  For details
on observed and forecast seasonal streamflow conditions, refer to
the link in the `related web sites` section.

.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:

This product will be updated by October 12 2021.

.RELATED WEB SITES:

U.S. Drought Monitor: www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
U.S. Drought Portal: drought.gov
Climate Prediction Center: www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
NWS Northwest River Forecast Center: www.nwrfc.noaa.gov
NWS AHPS Precipitation:
water.weather.gov/precip/index.php
West-wide Drought Tracker: wrcc.dri.edu/wwdt/index.php
USACE Willamette Reservoir Conditions: www.nwd-
wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/
US Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Reservoirs:
www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/select.html
US Geological Survey WaterWatch: waterwatch.usgs.gov
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/or/snow/

.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving NOAA`s
National Weather Service and National Centers for Environmental
Information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), state and
regional climatologists, and the National Drought Mitigation Center.
Information for this statement was gathered from NWS and Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) observation sites, river and
reservoir data from the US Geological Survey, the US Army Corps of
Engineers, the US Bureau of Reclamation, and state water resources
and emergency management agencies.

.CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions or comments about this Drought Information
Statement, please contact the National Weather Service in Portland,
Oregon.

w-pqr.webmaster@noaa.gov
503-261-9246
weather.gov/Portland

$$
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
