WAWG
From NASS
There were 4 days suitable for fieldwork in Washington, down from 4.3 days reported the previous week.
A strong weather system moved out of northwest Washington. Dry conditions and much colder temperatures moved into the region. Most of the fall harvest was complete. There was still a little bit of corn for grain in the fields in east central and southeast Washington.
In Western Washington, temperatures fell well below 30 degrees. Consistent nightly frost was reported throughout the week.
Central Washington received rain and snow early in the week, followed by a large temperature drop. There were 8 to 30 inches of snow reported on the ground throughout Okanogan County. Klickitat County started the week with a lot of rain and snow, which kept farmers out of the fields for a few days. Temperatures dropped by 20 degrees after the cold front moved through. Producers were still seeding a few fields of winter wheat. Cattle grazed on pasture. Livestock were anticipated to go on full feed soon.
The week started with overcast and rain in Yakima County. Small amounts of snow were received as the temperature dropped. Later in the week, skies cleared. Apple harvest wrapped up in the upper Yakima Valley. Patches of snow were found in orchards over the weekend. In the lower Yakima Valley, field crews rushed early in the week to harvest apples like Cripps Pink and Fuji before the nighttime lows dropped into the teens. Orchard removal began with a few operations burning torn out trees over the weekend. In vegetable fields, field crews collected black plastic and irrigation tape. Some growers tilled the soil.
Fall fieldwork was pretty much wrapped up in southeast Washington. Very cold temperatures were reported over the weekend in northeast and southeast Washington.
Washington crop condition
Winter wheat:
1% very poor
7% poor
31% fair
52% good
9% excellent
Washington crop progress:
Winter wheat emerged:
93% this week
90% last week
91% last year
89% 5-year average