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Central WA | This is correct. In climate terms the PNW is classed as a "Mediterranean climate." This means our moisture comes as either rain or light snow in predominantly the winter months. Summers are dry with low humidity. We rarely get any significant moisture after Memorial day. Even Seattle with its 80 inches of rain a year is known for drought alerts due to the dryness of the summers up here. It is a different world than anywhere in the Midwest or east where summers are humid and moisture can come in deluges if the right front moves through. Even the high plains growers in less than 20 inch rainfall environments who are used to some summer fallow history get more in season moisture and lose less moisture due to evapo-transpiration than we do here in the PNW. Pivots that are sold in the irrigated corn country of the PNW run a lot more hours per season than anywhere else in the country. When Valley or Zimmatic want to test a new design they bring machines out here because they will get more hours of wear in fewer seasons. Water management and conservation is a whole different ball game here.
Clovis | |
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John's World on US Farm Report.. "Summer Fallow is outdated?!?"
