Early May Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

ENSO-neutral conditions have emerged in the Tropical Pacific, officially ending this past winter’s La Niña. 

A relatively rapid transition to El Niño conditions is likely by early summer, then El Niño conditions are likely to continue to strengthen into the fall.  

April 2026 Snowpack and Drought Summary

Key Messages: 

As of early May, statewide snowpack is at 33% of median. Many basins in the central and southern Cascades currently have less than 20% of their median snowpack.

Warm and dry conditions have caused snow to melt more quickly than normal this spring. 

April 2026 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

Temperatures were once again above normal across the state, marking the 6th straight month with above normal statewide temperatures. 

Temperatures were 2-4°F above normal in most places, with the warmest temperatures relative to normal occurring in the eastern and southern slopes of the Cascades and across the Olympic Peninsula. 

Full Reservoirs Only Meet One-Third of Total Demand in the Yakima Basin

Winter Recap: Snowpack Near Record Lows Following Warm Winter
Conditions this winter were quite remarkable. Statewide, November through March was the second warmest such period since at least 1895, surpassed only by the exceptionally mild winter of 2014-2015.