Low precipitation classifies area as abnormally dry

The amount of rainfall and total precipitation percentages in Adams County are significantly below normal, keeping the Ritzville area barely outside drought level. Adams County is currently listed at the D0 level by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which qualifies the area as “abnormally dry.”

The mean amount of yearly precipitation in Ritzville from 2006-2010 was 12.18 inches while the current precipitation amount for 2011 was about 8.6. Official rainfall percentages in Ritzville for December 2011 are not yet recorded.

According to precipitation records from the Western Regional Climate Center, the...