Oregon drought concerns increase following heat wave

With an early summer heat wave hitting Oregon, specialists have concerns for the drought conditions in months to come.

June 3 marked the first time since 2019 that the state saw no drought conditions. As temperatures skyrocketed statewide, hitting the triple digits within the first week of July, months to come are looking extra dry.

Matt Warbritton, supervisory hydrologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, said these conditions can “create strain on water resources” which impacts wildfire risks and dry out vegetation, which can reduce crop yields.

The Hood, Sandy and Lower Deschutes basin was slightly above normal monthly precipitation in June, according Warbritton. But, the early July heat wave creates a higher evaporative demand — an increase in surface water loss to the atmosphere — which can lead to strain on water resources.

“There are certainly concerns for this sort of early summer heat that may promote more sensitivity to drought development as we go through the summer,” Warbritton said.

Wildfires are already starting in the state, and with an early season heat wave, Oregonians could expect to see more fires as the warm months progress.

Statewide, Wabritton said most reservoirs are storing volumes near normal, but a handful are below such as in the Upper Deschutes in the Wickiup Reservoir, which impact the entire Deschutes Basin.

“In terms of potential drought development, notably in the Lower Deschutes Basin, I would say that potential is quite high at this point,” Warbritton said.

He added that “abnormally” dry conditions are creeping into the Mt. Hood region as well.

Precipitation for the Hood, Sandy and Lower Deschutes basin was at 103% on July 10, compared to 82% the same time last year, according to NRCS data. This means numbers this year are just above normal.

“Normal is a good place to be at,” Warbritton said.

If a region has experienced a multi-year deficit, being at or near 100% after years of precipitation deficit, is not as sufficient to make up for the persistent droughts.

The snowpack for the Sandy, Hood and Lower Deschutes basin was at 25% melt out on June 29, according to the most recent NCRS data.

Warbritton said snowpack this year trended more normal this year and the day of melt out was fairly normal.