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Pacific Northwest DEWS Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar: June 24, 2024

Event Date
June 24, 2024
Event Time
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Timezone
PT
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These webinars provide the region's stakeholders and interested parties with timely information on current and developing drought conditions, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. Speakers also discuss the impacts of these conditions on things such as wildfires, floods, disruption to water supply and ecosystems, as well as impacts to affected industries like agriculture, tourism, and public health.

For more information, please contact Jason Gerlich (jason.gerlich@noaa.gov).

Timestamp
0:00

Webinar Introduction

Speaker: Britt Parker | NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

  • This bi-monthly webinar is co-hosted by NIDIS, the USDA Northwest Climate Hub, and the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI).
  • Introduction of today's speakers.
  • Welcome to the new Washington State Climatologist.

 

Timestamp
5:45

Climate Recap and Current Conditions

Speaker: Karin Bumbaco | Office of the Washington State Climatologist, University of Washington

  • Water Year 2024 to date has featured above-normal temperatures with more regional variability in precipitation.
  • Over the last 60 days, below-normal temperatures and drier-than-normal precipitation have been the norm.
    • Exception: western Washington and western Oregon (wetter than normal).
  • The cooler temperatures were overall beneficial in slowing snowmelt and delaying the onset of more widespread drought impacts.
  • Precipitation west of the Cascades improved streamflows and soil moisture.
  • Drought impacts are already emerging in eastern Washington and parts of the northern Olympic Peninsula.

 

Timestamp
17:10

Seasonal Conditions & Climate Outlook

Speaker: Joe Casola | NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Western Region

  • Outlooks:
    • 8-14 day: Elevated odds for cool and wet conditions for most of Pacific Northwest.
    • July: Elevated odds for drier conditions across much of the West.
    • July-August-September: “Equal chances” of above-, below-, or near-normal conditions cling to the coast for temperature/precipitation; “leaning” to drier conditions in the Pacific Northwest interior.
    • Drought: Summer persistence likely, reflecting low snowpack.
  • Currently El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral, but a transition to La Niña is expected.
 
Timestamp
26:50

Drought and Public Health Roadmap and Messaging Research for Public Health Providers 

Speaker: Rachel Lookadoo | University of Nebraska Medical Center

 

Timestamp
41:05

Farm Stress: Causes and Implications 

Speaker: Cassie Bouska | Oregon State University Extension

  • Farmers and ranchers face serious stressors that can result in physical and mental health challenges, including:
    • Commodity prices
    • Climate change
    • Isolation
    • Poor access to mental health care
    • Stigma regarding mental health
  • The agricultural industry has a suicide rate that is more than 3 times that of the general population.
  • Resources:

 

Timestamp
51:47

Q&A and Conclusion

Speaker: Britt Parker, NOAA/NIDIS

  • Register now for the next webinar on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. PT.

 

Key Partners

NOAA emblem

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

Oregon Climate Change Research Institute logo

Oregon Climate Change Research Institute

USDA logo

Northwest Climate Hub

NOAA NWS Logo

National Weather Service (NWS)

NOAA emblem

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Office of the Washington State Climatologist logo

Office of the Washington State Climatologist

University of Washington logo

University of Washington

Oregon State University logo

Oregon State University

University of Nebraska Medical Center logo

University of Nebraska Medical Center

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