Forecasters predict, prepare for increased drought and wildfire risk after NOAA climate outlook

While the Pacific Northwest west of the Cascades is known for its seemingly constant rain, much of Oregon is preparing for drought conditions and increased wildfire risk for the summer.

This comes after Oregon’s uncharacteristically mild winter. Much of winter saw warmer temperatures, tied with 1934 as the warmest winter on record for the state. This created a record-low snowpack throughout the Pacific Northwest, with levels falling to one-third of normal, according to the…