The 2022 water year was characterized by abrupt transitions in weather – from an abnormally dry winter, to an abnormally wet spring, and back to an abnormally dry summer. The Climate Impacts Group, Office of the Washington State Climatologist and others developed the 2022 Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Assessment to summarize the water year conditions and related impacts experienced by agricultural producers, water managers, fisheries managers and other natural resource managers. Now in its third year, this year’s assessment focuses on impacts and responses to abrupt changes in conditions.

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Overall, temperature averages and precipitation totals across Idaho, Oregon and Washington were close to normal during the 2022 water year. However, there was regional variability, especially in precipitation. Drought conditions improved in most areas of the Pacific Northwest but persisted in central and south-central Oregon as well as southern Idaho. There was seasonal variability as well: spring was wetter and colder than normal across the Pacific Northwest, and summer was the warmest and fifth driest on record (compared to 1991-2020 averages).

Agriculture, forestry, drinking water, fisheries and other sectors were affected by both the abnormally dry and abnormally wet conditions. Abnormally dry conditions reduced streamflow, surface water availability and hydropower generation. Abnormally wet conditions reduced drinking water quality, delayed planting and harvest, limited access to recreation and more. The Assessment details the impacts and responses to these impacts in greater detail.

The Water Year Impacts Assessment is developed annually based on information gathered from annual water year meetings and surveys of conditions and impacts. The Water Year Recap and Outlook meeting brings together researchers, agency staff, and water and resource managers in Oregon and Washington. A separate but similar meeting in Idaho is also held each year. The Annual Pacific Northwest Water Year Impacts Survey collects information on water year impacts for multiple sectors. Impacts are summarized in this assessment primarily based on information from the meeting discussions, the survey and author expertise.

The lead author, Karin Bumbaco, is from the UW Office of the Washington State Climatologist. Research Scientist Crystal Raymond and Anam Mehta, both of the UW Climate Impacts Group, are co-authors on the assessment. The Oregon State Climatologist and Idaho Department of Water Resources also contributed to the assessment. The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) funded the assessment and members of the PNW Drought Coordination Committee reviewed the assessment..

Please contact Karin Bumbao (kbumbaco@uw.edu) or Crystal Raymond (clrfire@uw.edu) if you have any questions on this assessment or comments for future assessments.