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. 

Climate Matters: Assessing Drought Impacts

The newest statewide drought declaration announced this week marks the fourth consecutive year with a drought declaration in at least some part of Washington State. With these recent droughts, WASCO has been working to better understand the myriad of ways that droughts can develop and their sector-specific impacts. 

Pacific Northwest Water Year 2025 Impacts Assessment Released

The sixth annual Pacific Northwest (PNW) Water Year Impacts Assessment provides a detailed evaluation of climate conditions and related impacts across Idaho, Oregon, and Washington during the 2025 water year (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025).  

Early April Climate Outlook

Key Messages:

A transition to neutral ENSO conditions is likely this spring, then a transition to El Niño conditions is likely (>75% chance) by fall 2026. ENSO has very little influence on summer conditions in our region.  

March 2026 Climate Summary

Key Messages: 

Temperatures were about 1-4°F above normal in the eastern half of the state and near normal in much of western Washington. Small areas of below normal temperatures occurred in the higher elevations of the northwest Cascades. 

March 2026 Snowpack and Drought Summary

Key Messages: 

On April 8, the WA Department of Ecology issued a statewide Drought Emergency  due to very low snowpack and summer water supply concerns.
As of April 1, our statewide snowpack is well below normal at just 53% of median. 

March 2026 Notable Weather Events

Key Messages: 

March 11-18 brought heavy lowland rain, windstorms, and mountain snows to western Washington.

Warm conditions led to early season snowmelt which cut into snowpack gains earlier in the month. 

Late March Climate Outlook

What’s Next for the Pacific Northwest?
Warmer and Drier than normal April conditions are likely in the interior West and small portions of Washington.
The Climate Prediction Center’s monthly outlook for April 2026 shows an increased likelihood that ridging over the western United States will bring drier and warmer than normal conditions to the region.