The reigning La Nina has more staying power than expected and likely will stay through the spring and into the summer...While a La Nina can worsen drought in the southern tier of the U.S., it's linked to cool and wet weather in the Northwest.

Spokane keeps setting ominous weather records this year. The region in 2021 had its driest, and second hottest, Feb. 1 through July 10 stretch since record-keeping began in 1881, according to the National Weather Service. And the unwelcome weather isn’t letting up soon, with 100-degree days and no rain forecast this week. Wilson said 2021 has been one of the hottest, driest years in the region’s history. The stretch from Feb. 1 through July 10 has been the second hottest Spokane has ever seen, behind only 2015 – which was the worst wildfire year in state history. “Acres burned are mostly highly correlated to the summertime temperatures, so it’s not a good thing that we see temperatures of this magnitude,” Wilson said.

But where EXACTLY is the absolutely driest location? Rain sodden western Washingtonians want to know! And the answer should certainly be of interest to agricultural interests...So I next checked locations I thought had the best combination of low elevation and big terrain immediately to the west. First, Desertair, which had nearly exactly 5 inches a year since 2009. Then, Mattawa E. in Grant County. OMG. A 4.6 inches average for 2008 to 2020.