Drought conditions persist in basin, foothills

By on Thursday, October 5th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News Featured Stories More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Drought conditions still persist in the area. The rain last month and earlier this week didn’t make an appreciable difference in that according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Camden Plunkett.

“Drought conditions do remain across the foothills of the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington, and also down into the Columbia Basin.”

A large chunk of Umatilla County is in a severe drought (D2), but there are also areas within the county that are considered to be in a moderate drought (D1) or abnormally dry. All of Walla Walla and Columbia counties are considered D2.

The worst drought conditions in Oregon and Washington are on the west side of the states where extreme drought conditions (D3) are reported. There are no reports of exceptional drought (D4) in either state.