Oregon 'in perpetual drought,' climatologist says

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Experts say Oregon is becoming less resilient to drought as fewer seasons of abundant rain and snow prevent it from bouncing back from hot and dry conditions.

Larry O’Neill, state climatologist at Oregon State University, said the current drought is “historically significant,” with about three-quarters of the state experiencing conditions considered “extreme” or “exceptional.”

However, the state is actually in the fourth year of below-average precipitation, which has exacerbated the drought during “unprecedentedly” high temperatures this summer, O’Neill told the Oregon Water...