Mon 9/7 – Sun 9/20/26 rural Central Oregon High Desert – moderately dry]          
I have modified my report condition status from severely dry to moderately dry based upon the observations that follow.  Precip (and variants) this 2-week period: rain totaled 0.48” over 7 of the last 8 days (late afternoon Sat 9/12 to dark-AM Fri 9/18); morning frost occurred the first 2 days; there was a thundershower pre-dawn hours 9/17; and a morning fog followed that final 9/18 pre-dawn rain event.  Undeveloped ground has remained moist enough (from the prior period’s rains) that dusty conditions have not returned, despite the first 5 days of dry warm (71 – 89°F) weather.  The last day of this period, several spots I have checked around the property remain damp several inches deep, and on Sun 9/20 afternoon only a few unshaded areas appear to be starting to dry at the surface.  A few natural groundcover plants (grasses and broadleaf) have revived a bit from their drought stress, and a few more birds have been observed drinking from nearby water sources (lawn, puddles, etc.).  Overall, temps have cooled and moisture retention has increased.