Summary:
- October was relatively cool and wet north, while warm and very dry south. Dry conditions and high winds fanned devastating fires across California.
- Growing season heat accumulation ended up near average in eastern Washington/Oregon, while 5-20% up elsewhere. Degree-day totals for 2017 ended up similar to 2013, 2014, and 2016 for most locations.
- Current conditions favor cool to cold temperatures with significant rains at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations throughout much of the western US through at least the 20th of the month. Dry conditions are likely to still prevail in central to southern California.
- The extended forecast is tilting the odds to winter being cool/wet in the PNW and cool to average and dry in California. For a good video summary of this from the Climate Predication Center, watch this video.
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