Washington's Snowpack at Record Low, Drought Looms

0:00It's March 24th. This is Canada News Today. Local news powered by AI. Western Washington snowpack is way below normal this spring, sitting at just 54% of average levels right around the usual peak time of April 1st. Warm winter temperatures from October through February ranked as the third warmest on record, melting much of the snow that did accumulate and sending. That water straight out to sea instead of storing it for summer. Recent winter storms briefly boosted the statewide snow water equivalent to 17 and 5 inches in early March, but warm weather and rain quickly dropped it back to 15.5 inches by this week. Some areas like North Puget Sound are holding at 71% of normal, while others, such as the Upper Yakima Basin, are down to 39%. This low snow means Washington faces its fourth straight severe drought, with past years forcing water cuts for cities and farms, spiking hydropower, costs and electricity prices,

1:00and hurting salmon runs while raising wildfire risks. Officials worry about long-term sustainability as demands grow. Experts predict higher temperatures and less rain through June, making it unlikely for snowpack to rebound and more likely to melt further. Compared to neighbors, Washington is doing better than Oregon at 19% or the record low Colorado River Basin. Snow acts like a natural reservoir, slowly releasing water into summer, but rising temperatures from climate change turn more winter precipitation, interrain that overflows full reservoirs, with supply shrinking and demand climbing the state braces for tougher times ahead.