Lohmann: This Is The Calm Between The Storms

The Inland Northwest is enjoy some sunny and dry weather for the middle portion of the workweek.  And that comes as a welcomed change after active and even wild weather over the weekend that led to flooding and elevated river levels across the region.  Marilyn Lohmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service said despite all of the systems we saw in January, and the first half of February, North Central Washington is still dry for this time of year.

“At Yakima and Wenatchee, they each had for the month of February less than 0.10” of precipitation, so they are closing in on the water year still 2” below normal, so very low for those locations.  They normally are rain shadowed, so they don’t get as much, but still, when they’re not getting the little amounts that they should, it kind of adds up.”

Lohmann said the Tri-Cities is in a similar situation, sitting 2” below normal for the water year.  However, as you move east, things look better.  Lohmann says Pendleton and Walla Walla enjoyed impressive rain totals over the past couple of weeks, bringing their precipitation numbers up to normal for the water year.  Meanwhile, Pullman and the Palouse is about 2” above normal for the water year.

Lohmann says the active weather continues as we head towards you weekend.  She said we’ll see some weak systems roll in Thursday, bringing showers to the area, and moving the snow elevation up to 3,000’-4,000’.  But she noted, dryer weather is expected near next week.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com