Western state still face drought concerns as we head into fall

The latest drought monitor shows the Northern Rockies and portions of the Pacific Northwest are showing modest improvement, but USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey points to some of the driest states in the country.

This week in terms of topsoil moisture, that are above 80 percent in short to very short.

According to Rippey, “That list includes other Pacific Coast states: Oregon and California along with Wyoming and Montana... More than 10 percentage point increase in Oklahoma to 72 percent very short to short. Texas a 10 point increase to 69 percent very short to show. So, certainly lots of dry soil from the Great Plains westward as well as we head into autumn.”

Montana led the nation with topsoil moisture rated 95 percent very short to short.

Related:

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