Washington got 104% of normal precipitation over the fall and winter, but it fell as rain instead of snow, leaving the state with about half of its usual snowpack. That, coupled with long-term forecasts predicting above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation has led the Ecology Department to declare an emergency for drought.
Casey Sixkiller, Ecology’s director says “Without enough snow in the mountains, we must prepare for widespread shortages and challenges across our state.”
Southeast Washington currently has less than most of the state at just 32% of the normal snowpack.
