Climate Matters: Mountain Snowpack and Streamflow

With Washington’s statewide snowpack as of March 5th ranking as the 3rd lowest since modern records began in 1985, questions have been coming into WASCO regarding the potential impacts on spring and summer streamflow. 

Early March Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

In the short term, cooler and wetter than normal conditions look likely for the next week or two. 

Predictability is low for the March 1-month outlook as well as the 3-month March-May outlook.  

February 2026 Snowpack and Drought Summary

Key Messages: 

As of March 3, our statewide snowpack is well below normal at just 53% of the median. Many individual stations are below 10th percentile snowpack for this point in the season.  

February 2026 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

Temperatures were about 3-5°F above normal in the eastern half of the state and 1-3°F above normal in western Washington. Statewide, February ranked as the 24th warmest February since 1895.  

February 2026 Notable Weather Events

Key Messages: 

A warm spell kicked off the month, breaking numerous daily high temperature records.

Colder air arrived in the middle of the month dropping minimum temperatures into the 20s in western Washington and into the teens and single digits across much of eastern Washington.  

Late February Climate Outlook

What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Wetter than normal conditions expected in March. A warm start to the month is likely.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for March 2026 shows 40-50% chance of above normal precipitation statewide. 

Just how big were the December 2025 floods?

This month we’d like to take a break from the news about the snow drought and look back at flooding that happened in December. Many agencies, utilities, and other managers are taking stock of the flooding now that it’s behind us. 

Early February Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

La Niña conditions remain in place, but a return to neutral conditions is expected by March.

The February CPC outlook indicates warmer than normal temperatures are most likely statewide with slightly elevated chances of wetter than normal conditions across the northern half of the state. 

January 2026 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

January was the 12th warmest January on record since at least 1895. Temperatures were around 2-5°F above normal for nearly all areas of the state.
Precipitation was below normal across most of the state and ranked as the 22nd driest January on record since at least 1895 statewide. 

January 2026 Snowpack and Drought Summary

Key Messages: 

As of February 2, statewide snowpack is well below normal near 55% of median. 

Water year precipitation remains above normal in most of the Cascades, but warm storms throughout the season and January’s dry spell both contributed to the current snowpack deficits.