WSU meteorologist Nic Loyd is stuck on one word for last October’s Washington weather: Wet.
Make that two words: Abnormally wet. Sea-Tac measured over 10 inches of rainfall. Even dry Yakima saw almost 2-1/2 inches. But the undisputed epicenter of soggy conditions was Spokane which registered not only their rainiest October ever, but the highest precipitation for any month ever recorded: a whopping 6-1/4 inches. That’s remarkable when compared to an average October rainfall of just 1-1/4 inches. Especially given that their typical annual total is just over 16 inches.
Loyd says this was due to an unusually deep and persistent trough of low pressure just off the West Coast, coupled with an atypically strong jet stream aimed right at Washington. The result? A parade of storms that contributed to making October a month for the record books.
Record weather events can spawn other records, which in this case was the massive emergence of mushrooms, especially in eastern Washington. Lori Carris, WSU professor of mycology and member of both the British and American preeminent mycological societies, says that the record rainfall resulted in the appearance of some unusual types of mushrooms, such as a beautiful fruiting of the cauliflower mushroom along a trail on Kamiak Butte (found by graduate student Erika Kruse). Never had she seen it in her 27 years of collecting in the Inland Northwest. The abundant rains resulted not only in the fruitings of choice edible mushrooms but also some rare species appearing in unusual locations. Common forest mushrooms known as elfin saddles were even seen emerging in Pullman lawns. As a result of the record October rainfall, the regional forests were awash with many colorful mushrooms, much to the avid hunter’s delight.
Clockwise, from top:
Golden Chanterelle (Cantharellus spp.) — several species of these choice edibles are found in the Pacific Northwest.
Cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis radicata) — an unusual-looking fungus and actually a good edible. Found by WSU graduate student Erika Kruse.
Rosy Russala (Russula rosacea) — one of the most beautiful mushrooms of the forest, very abundant this year. Found by adjunct professor Pat Okubara.
Lemon-yellow Pholiota (Pholiota limonella) — these slimy golden caps grew in spectacular clusters last fall.
The Prince (Agaricus augustus) — a stately and wonderfully almond-scented mushroom related to the cultivated button mushroom. From Pat Okubara.
Western Black Elfin Saddle (Helvella vespertina) — common forest mushroom found in yards last fall! From Erika Kruse.
Staff photo composite from sources listed; others courtesy Lori Carris
Web extra
Gallery: October showers bring… — A gallery of mushrooms from last fall