Wet Weather Arrives Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Well, after a longer, dryer summer than expected, the cooler, wetter fall weather has finally arrived.
University of Washington Atmospheric Sciences Professor,
Cliff Mass says the change has been obvious the past week or so and it’s not going away anytime soon …
MASS … “We also know that we’re in a fairly strong La Nina, and La Nina’s tend to be associated with cold, wet weather, particularly after the new year, but we seem to be starting it early. So, if you’re a betting person you would bet on cold and wet this winter, which means adequate water supply and a decent snowpack.”
Even with the long dry September and October, Mass says that wasn’t a problem …
MASS … “We were never behind, really. We were so far ahead from last spring that the reservoirs were in good condition, the snowpack was in good condition. So, we may have been dryer than normal, but we’re normally dry in summer anyway and early fall. So, we basically went from way ahead to normal during the summer months.”
And the La Nina, Mass says is statewide …
MASS … “That’s right. We’re talking about the whole region. We’re going to be wetter and cooler. La Nina produces that effect over the whole region. But of course, the key thing for water resources is the snowpack for both sides of the Cascades and that looks like it will probably be pretty decent with a La Nina year.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on this winter’s cooler, wetter expectations from a third straight La Nina.
