April Washington water supply outlook report

The April water supply outlook for Washington highlights a troubling scenario for the central and northern Cascades. Despite above-normal precipitation in March, significant deficits in water year-to-date precipitation and snowpack persist, particularly near critical monitoring sites like Washington Pass and the I-90 corridor, where snowpack is below 70%. The Upper Yakima Basin has seen a marked decline in snowpack since March 1, raising concerns about imminent water supply shortages. Though the southern Washington Cascades and northern Blue Mountains report near-normal conditions, the overall outlook remains bleak. Water supply forecasts have notably worsened for the Upper Yakima and Olympic Basins, despite some optimism regarding reservoir inflows in the Naches Basin.

This situation is exacerbated by the fact that peak snowpack timing is now upon the region, making drastic improvements less likely. The report emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address potential shortages, particularly in the Yakima Basin. As water resources become increasingly strained, this outlook serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by changing climate conditions.