WA snowpack dips back into the red after brief rebound

Washington's mountain snowpack is at a statewide median of about 54% of normal after a short-lived rebound, and NOAA's seasonal outlook forecasts warmer and drier conditions through June.

Snow that briefly brightened lowlands and mountaintops in Western Washington has largely melted as an unusually warm winter followed. Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco warned the window for improvement is narrowing. The statewide median snowpack is around 54% of normal. NOAA projects higher-than-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation through April to June. Key observed data: - Statewide median snowpack: about 54% of normal, per Karin Bumbaco. - Snow water equivalent varied this month from about 13.7 inches early March to roughly 15.5 inches as of the latest update. - Selected regional levels include north Puget Sound at about 71%, south Puget Sound at about 49%, upper Yakima River basin at about 39%, and the Olympic Mountains at about 41% of normal. - NOAA's seasonal outlook indicates warmer and drier-than-normal conditions for April through June. Summary: The reduced snowpack means less natural water stored in mountain snow as the state moves into spring and summer. Officials say the trend and current measurements make a fourth consecutive severe drought likely. Forecasts for warmer, drier conditions through June make additional improvement unlikely, and the near-term outlook is focused on those seasonal predictions.