Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Western Region for December 2020 – February 2021.  Dated March 2021.

Winter temperatures were well above normal in southern California and slightly above normal in all of Nevada, Washington, and Oregon.  Near or slightly below normal temperatures were found in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.  Much of the West saw below normal precipitation throughout the winter.

In Water Year 2020, most of Oregon experienced a significant drought with dominant impacts that included wildfires, agricultural and livestock losses, and limited outdoor recreation. Drought in Washington and Idaho was not as widespread or significant, with localized drought in a few basins in south-central Idaho and east of the Cascade Mountain crest in central Washington. Washington and Oregon also experienced major flood events in February; those impacts and others are highlighted as well.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Western Region for September – November 2020.  Dated December 2020.

Temperatures were above-average during the fall west of the Rocky Mountains, favored by a strong high pressure ridge anchored along the coast. Although fall is typically dry in the southern half of the West, the persistent ridge prevented landfalling Pacific storms, leading to well-below normal precipitation in many regions.

Provides information on the typical La Niña winter pattern; the La Niña outlook; potential impacts; and comparisons of conditions during previous La Niña years.

NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Program created these outlooks to inform the public about climate impacts within their respective regions. Each regional report contains easy-to-understand language, and anyone can access them through the Drought Portal.

The PNW DEWS Strategic Plan outlines priority tasks and activities to build drought early warning capacity and resilience. Partners from across the PNW met in Portland, OR in October 2019 to discuss progress made since the 2017-2018 strategic plan and next steps. Discussions acknowledged the progress made to better communicate and collaborate in preparing for and responding to drought, and led participants to ask how the DEWS might further facilitate not only information delivery but also action to reduce the impacts of drought.

This drought and climate outlook was originally sent via email to the Pacific Northwest DEWS email list.

Climate Recap and Current Conditions

Nicholas Bond, Office of the Washington State Climatologist