Drought Information Statement for Eastern OR & South Central WA Valid October 14, 2025 Issued By: NWS Pendleton Contact Information: pdt.operations@noaa.gov This product will be updated if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/pdt/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Extreme Drought continues in Northwest Kittitas, Columbia, eastern Franklin and Walla Walla, northern Wallowa, northern Union and northeast Umatilla counties, Severe Drought continues in Most of Yakima, Kittitas and Benton counties, western Franklin and Walla Walla counties, most of Union, central Wallowa and eastern Umatilla counties while Moderate Drought continues in southern Yakima and Benton, portions of eastern and western Klickitat, most of Wasco and Morrow counties, the Cascades in Deschutes county, western Umatilla, northeast Wheeler, western Jefferson, northern Grant and southern Union and Wallowa counties. All other areas are Abnormally Dry except for normal conditions for eastern Deschutes and southern Crook and Grant counties Near to above normal precipitation (90-200%) the Blue Mountain Foothills, eastern portions of north central Oregon and central Yakima county, with below to much below normal precipitation (25% to 90% of normal) in the rest of the area during the last 30 days. Drought is expected to improve in northern areas,end in central areas and remain at No Drought over southern areas during October-December All areas forecast to have normal significant fire potential for October 2025 - January 2026 Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Northwest Kittitas, Columbia, eastern Franklin and Walla Walla, northern Wallowa, northern Union and northeast Umatilla counties D2 (Severe Drought): Most of Yakima, Kittitas and Benton counties, western Franklin and Walla Walla counties, most of Union, central Wallowa and eastern Umatilla counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Southern Yakima and Benton, portions of eastern and western Klickitat, most of Wasco and Morrow counties, the Cascades in Deschutes county, western Umatilla, northeast Wheeler, western Jefferson, northern Grant and southern Union and Wallowa counties D0: (Abnormally Dry): All other areas not mentioned above except normal for eastern Deschutes and southern Crook and Grant counties U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map for the Pacific Northwest National Weather Service Pendleton, OR One-Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened (1 Class Degradation): None Drought Improved (1 Class Improvement): Portions of Wasco, Jefferson and Klickitat, smaller portions of Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Benton, Deschutes, Crook and Grant counties Four-Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened (1 Class Degradation): Eastern Franklin and Walla Walla counties, western Columbia and small portions of northern Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties Drought Improved (1 Class Improvement): Portions of central Klickitat and southern Benton counties, most of Gilliam, Sherman, Crook and Wheeler counties, much of Jefferson and Grant counties, small portions of eastern Morrow and western Umatilla counties Drought Improved (2 Class Improvement): Small portions of northeastern Crook counties Image Captions: Right - 4 Week Drought Class Change Left - 1 Week Drought Class Change Data Courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor and Drought.gov Recent Change in Drought Intensity Near to above normal (90-200%) the Blue Mountain Foothills, eastern portions of north central Oregon and central Yakima county Below to much below normal precipitation (25% to 90% of normal) in the rest of the area Highest precipitation amounts were 1 to 2 inches along the Washington and Oregon Cascade crest, eastern Wasco and Jefferson, southern Sherman, northern Crook and eastern Wheeler counties, the northern Blue Mountains and most of Union and Wallowa counties Generally less than 1 inch of precipitation elsewhere and mainly less than 0.5 inches in WA, the Columbia River Gorge, central Jefferson, central and southern Deschutes and southern Crook and Grant counties Image Captions: Right - Precipitation Amount for Pacific NW Left - Percent of Normal Precipitation for Pacific NW Data Courtesy Precipitation - Last 30 Days Image Captions: Right - Precipitation Amounts for Pacific NW Left - Percent of Normal Precipitation for Pacific NW Courtesy of Drought.gov Well below normal precipitation (0% to 50% of normal) in most of the area over the last 120-days Below to above normal precipitation (50% to 150% of normal) in the Simcoe Highlands, the southern Blue Mountains and small portions of the WA and OR Columbia Basin Precipitation amounts of 3-6 inches in the Blue Mountains, 1-3 inches are in the Cascades, Simcoe Highlands and Blue Mountain Foothills and mainly less than 1 inch in the WA Columbia basin and portions of central and north central OR Wettest location was 6-12 inches in the Elkhorn Mountains over the last 120-days Driest locations were less than 1 inch in most western lower elevation areas over the last 120-days Precipitation - 4-month (120-day) Precipitation Below normal temperatures (1 to 4 degrees below normal) in most of Yakima and Klickitat counties, much of Deschutes county and most of the eastern Oregon mountains over the area for the last 7 days Above normal temperatures (1 to 3 degree above normal) in Franklin and parts of Benton and Walla Walla counties for the last 7 days Well below normal (4 to 6 degrees below normal) in small pockets of Crook and Wheeler counties for the last 7 days Near normal temperatures (1 below to 1 degree above normal) for the rest of the area for the last 7 days Near to above normal temperatures (1 below to 4 degrees above normal) for most locations for the the last 30 days Well above normal temperatures (4 to 6 degrees above normal) in most of Franklin and Walla Walla counties for the the last 30 days Image Captions: Right - Temperature for Pacific NW Left - Percent of Normal Precipitation for Pacific NW Courtesy of Drought.gov Temperature - Last 7 and 30 Days Hydrologic Impacts Much below normal streamflows (< 10th percentile) for the Upper Yakima and Lower Grande Ronde basins Below normal streamflows (10th-25th percentiles) for the Lower Yakima, Klickitat, Middle Columbia-Hood, Naches, Middle Columbia-Hood, Middle Columbia-Lake Wallula, Willow, North Fork John Day and Middle Fork John Day basins Normal streamflow (25th-75th percentile) for all other basins Snowpack Impacts Nearly all snow telemetry (SNOTEL) monitoring sites have no snow present in the mountains. Aside from the widespread drought in much of the area, there are no known impacts at this time. Agricultural Impacts Due to historically low reservoir storage and streamflows, water deliveries to agricultural interests in the Yakima area have been halted as of October 6th, 2025. For other areas, impacts are unknown at this time Fire Hazard Impacts Normal significant wildland fire potential is present over the entire area from October 2025 through January 2026. Other Impacts Washington: Washington Drought Declaration issued for Upper Yakima, Lower Yakima and Naches Watersheds Oregon: Drought Declarations in effect for Morrow, Jefferson, Wheeler and Union Counties Mitigation actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Summary of Impacts Image Captions: Right - USGS 7-day average streamflow station map valid October 13, 2025 Left - USGS 7-day average streamflow HUC map valid October 13, 2025 Data Courtesy USGS Water Watch Main Takeaways Much below normal streamflow (below the 10th percentile) for the Upper Yakima and Lower Grande Ronde basins Below normal streamflows (10th-24th percentiles) for the Lower Yakima, Klickitat and Middle Columbia-Hood, basins Near normal streamflows (25th-75th percentiles) for all other basins Impacts No known impacts at this time Reduced streamflow may be detrimental to aquatic species and recreational activities. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts - Washington Image Captions: Right - USGS 7-day average streamflow station map valid October 13, 2025 Left - USGS 7-day average streamflow HUC map valid October 13, 2025 Data Courtesy USGS Water Watch Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts - Oregon Main Takeaways Well below normal streamflows (less than 10th percentile) for the Lower Grande Ronde basin Below normal streamflows (10th-25th percentile) for the Middle Columbia-Hood, Middle Columbia-Lake Wallula, Willow and the Middle Fork John Day basins Near normal streamflows (25th-75th percentile) for all other basins except no data for the Silvies and Summer Lake basins Impacts No known impacts at this time Reduced streamflow may be detrimental to aquatic species and recreational activities. Main Takeaways Below to near normal water supply (80% to 100% of the 1991-2020 normal) is forecast over most locations for the April - September 2026 period Below normal water supply (59% of the 1991-2020 normal) is forecast for McKay Creek Above normal water supply (124% of the 1991-2020 normal) is forecast for Mill Creek These forecasts for 2026 are based on streamflow data from the new water year which started on October 1, 2025 Impacts No known impacts at this time Low reservoir levels would be expected to affect agriculture production, fish, and other aquatic species. Image Caption: Ensemble Streamflow Prediction Natural Forecast Data Courtesy NOAA NWS Northwest River Forecast Center Issued October 14, 2025 Forecast (% of Normal) Northwest River Forecast Center Water Supply Forecast. Water Supply Forecast - April - September 2026 Forecast (% of normal) Main Takeaways Normal significant wildland fire potential (i.e., normal risk) is forecast for all areas in for October 2025 through January 2026 Image Caption: Left - November 2025 Right - December 2025 Data Courtesy National Interagency Coordination Center Issued October 1, 2025 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Fire Hazard Impacts - September through December A trough Saturday night/Monday will bring showers to the entire area The Cascade crest is expected receive 0.5 to 1.25 inches of rain with up to 0.5 inches in the eastern Oregon mountains The Columbia Basin, the Ochoco mountains and portions of central Oregon will generally receive a tenth of an inch or less Temperatures are expected to be near to below normal Breezy to windy conditions expected on Sunday Visit weather.gov/Pendleton for the latest weather forecast Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Main Takeaways A 40% to 60% chance of below normal temperatures across the entire area A 40% to 60% chance of above normal precipitation across the entire area Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid October 18-22, 2025 Climate Prediction Center 6 to 10 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. 6-10 Day Outlook Main Takeaways A 40% to 60% chance of above normal precipitation across the entire area Equal chances of above, near or below normal temperatures across the entire area Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Precipitation Outlook. Valid October 20 - 26, 2025 Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. 8-14 Day Outlook Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook. Updated September 30, 2025 Main Takeaways for October 2025 Equal chances of above, near and below normal temperatures area-wide A 40% to 50% chance of above normal precipitation across the entire area Climate Prediction Center Monthly Outlook. Monthly Climate Outlook Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook. Valid October-December 2025 Main Takeaways for October-December 2025 Equal chances of above, below and near normal temperature over most of the area except for a 33% to 40% chance of above normal temperatures from eastern Deschutes northeast to southern Wallowa county A 33% to 50% chance of above normal precipitation across the entire area Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Outlook. Seasonal Climate Outlook Main Takeaways Drought is expected to generally improve over the northern portions of the area and generally end in central portions of the area during October Drought is expected to generally improve over the northern portions of the area and generally end in central portions of the area from October through December Possible Impacts Reduced streamflows and extremely low reservoir levels in the Upper Yakima basin has resulted in a halt of irrigation water for agricultural interests which may result in a possible reduction of agricultural yield, crop loss, and poor pasture conditions where irrigation water is not available. Image Captions: Right - Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released September 30, 2025 Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released September 30, 2025 The latest drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage. Drought Outlook