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April was a dry month for most of the Inland Northwest, as evidence by USDA’s recent drought monitor readings. Marilyn Lohmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service says as we get into the heart of May, temperatures will be at or above normal, with precipitation below average. She said that’s concerning when you look at how dry the soil is already, and that the region is not expected to enjoy relief this summer.

“The outlook for the summertime moisture is for below normal precipitation throughout June, July and August.  We’re already seeing a lot of stress on pastures and rangelands that don’t have irrigation...through the month of May, we may hold on, but after that we’ll see conditions deteriorate pretty quickly.”

The warm air temperatures have pushed soil temperatures into the mid, and even upper 60s in some locations. Looking at the week ahead, Lohmann expects cooler, stormy weather Wednesday and Thursday, but a ridge of high pressure building in for the weekend, pushing temperatures higher.




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