Drought persists; some relief expected soon
The hydraulic drought which has been hovering over the Western states during the past three years is expected to continue; however, symptoms in the Northern regions of Utah have improved slightly, Donald Jensen, state climatologist said.
“[Logan has] about 105 percent of what we usually have at this time. One hundred percent is considered normal or average conditions. That means that we’ve received, since October, about five percent more water content than we’ve received in the past,” Jensen said.
The increased rain and snowfall does not place Logan out of the red zone quite yet, for it is insufficient in pulling Utah out of the dry spell, Jensen said.
“We’re not out of the drought yet. We’ve been in a drought for about three years. We still need another full six inches of water content. That’s just to make up for what we’ve lost,” Jensen said.
Unfortunately, the relief the northern half of the state has experienced has not prevailed across to the Southern regions of Utah, Jensen said.
“Southeastern Utah is at around 80 to 90 percent. The southern part of the state is lower than average,” he said.
The Uintah Basin has also obtained approximately 15 percent less water content than it has typically received in the past, Jensen said.
The 2002 Winter Olympics should not be affected by this drought. If the weather does warm up and the snow begins to melt, there is no need for alarm, Jensen said.
“These things [weather patterns] continue for three-week blocks. We’ll be essentially dry for three weeks and then we’ll be wet again,” he said.
Jensen said the state is “not really concerned” about having enough snow for the Winter Games. If necessary, “they’ll make the snow.”
“But it looks like they’ll have enough natural snow that they won’t have to do that. It looks pretty good right now,” he said.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service, the latest drought outlook calls for “continual slow improvement. Some water shortages may persist in the next few months, but the overall season is off to a good start.”
As the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) operates the most advanced weather, flood warning and forecast system.
In an extension of its 2001-2002 winter outlook, NWS forecasters predicted the January through March period will bring “more extreme and frequent shifts in temperature and precipitation for the nation, including cold-air outbreaks, snow, rain and icestorms.”
Jensen suggests Cache County “wear layers and keep warm” as the harsh winter continues, and “drink plenty of water.” It is essential for the body to get plenty of water, he said.