NW Drought

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey describes a split picture in terms of the drought situation in the West. Following last week’s monsoon surge, which hit hardest from Arizona northward into Montana, we have seen quiet weather return across much of the west. At present, it remains fairly cool, but that is going to change as this drying trend is going to be accompanied by a marked warming trend. Other than the heat, he says, there also will not be many prospects for rain. And so for the driest areas of the far west and the western great basin. That means more issues with wildfires, air quality and extreme heat and drought. Not much change there. Meanwhile, though, there are areas where conditions are better As we move further east and inland. It has turned significantly better from a drought standpoint in states like New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, western Colorado and even extending northward from there. For the parched northwestern part of the country, there is good news and bad news. The drought stricken northern plains and upper Midwest are finally going to get some appreciable relief. And I wish I could say it would come in a nice peaceful form of steady soaking rain. But unfortunately, it's going to be in the form of heavy showers and locally severe thunderstorms