Washington Declares Statewide Drought Emergency Amid Low Snowpack
Washington state has declared a statewide drought emergency due to near-record low snowpack levels, which threaten water supplies, fish habitats, and increase wildfire risks as summer approaches. Despite receiving 104% of normal precipitation from October to February, much of it fell as rain rather than snow, leaving the state with only about half of its usual snowpack. The Washington Department of Ecology (WDE) warns that projected water supplies will likely fall short of summer demand. This marks the fourth statewide drought emergency since 2015, highlighting the increasing frequency of such events due to climate change. The situation is exacerbated by warmer winter temperatures, which have led to rapid snowmelt and reduced snow accumulation. 
