Oregon’s drought conditions worsen during fifth dry year

SALEM – Drought conditions in Oregon are worsening, even though the year’s precipitation has been close to average.

The Statesman Journal reported that data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday shows half of the state in moderate drought and the rest of it abnormally dry.

It is the fifth consecutive year of drought for Oregon and the West. State officials say several streams are approaching record lows and Oregon has had three unusually dry months in a row after a relatively wet winter and early spring.

Oregon’s river basins all have below-average stream flows.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center is calling for above-normal temperatures through September.