Statewide conditions
As the state's lead agency for water supplies, we pay close attention to multiple data sources and monitor them closely. Rain and other precipitation, groundwater (water held in aquifers), rivers and streams, and mountain snow (snowpack) are all important contributors to water supply that we monitor.
What is water supply?
What is WSAC? 
The Water Supply Availability Committee (WSAC) is a group of experts from state and federal agencies who evaluate statewide water supply conditions. Ecology chairs this group that provides an important consultative role to Ecology. WSAC advises Ecology on current and forecasted water supply conditions and whether the hydrologic drought threshold has been met or is likely to be met: seventy-five percent of normal water supply within a geographic area (RCW 43.83B.405 and WAC 173-166-050).
If you would like to receive water supply updates after each monthly WSAC meeting, subscribe to the Washington Water Supply Email list. Presentation materials and recording are posted on the Water Supply Availability Committee website.
Data round-up: drought conditions summary
Below is a snapshot of the wide variety of data sources that helps Ecology understand evolving drought conditions. We will update this regularly while a drought declaration remains active.
The Washington State Climate Office - Climate Outlook
- Early January Update - A La Niña advisory remains in place with a transition back to neutral conditions very likely in January-March (75% chance). This year’s La Niña event continues to be relatively weak, in line with forecast guidance from earlier in the season.
- Snowpack statewide is at 53% of normal. ("Normal" being the 30-year average for the calendar date; info: Climate Normals | NOAA or Climatic Normals | NRCS)
- 114% Statewide water year to date precipitation, down 2% from last week.
- SWE Interactive Map – NWCC iMap or SWE by Basin – PDF (Why does “SWE” matter – USDA Factsheet).
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
- Yakima River system (Keechelus, Kachess, Cle Elum, Bumping, Rimrock) storage is above average at 132% of average for this calander date. Average capacity for the reservoirs combined is at 71%. Snowpack will continue to be important for storage.
- The first 2026 USBR TWSA forecast is expected the first week of March.
Northwest River Forecast Center data and information updates:
- 10 Day Meteorological Forecasts – Precipitation forecasted to return in the latter half of the next 10 days, and temperatures to support snowpack starting on Feb. 9, but temperatures in the middle of the period may not support holding snowpack.
- Forecast report and Forecast map – Early predictions for April through September streamflow indicate that more will fall below 75% of normal. Early predictions for the eastside of the state, with some at 50 to 74% in the central area and some in the east below 50% [Colville (36%), Little Spokane (50%), and Palouse (44%). Last updated Feb. 2.
- NOTE: April – September forecasts are based on the next 10 days of forecast data, then based on climate Normals from the 1991-2020 average.
- 8-14 day Outlook: Above normal temperatures with a chance of above normal precipitation is expected statewide.
- Valid: Feb. 9-15, 2026, Issued: Feb. 1, 2026
- February Monthly Forecast: Above normal temperatures statewide most likely, while predictions leaning toward above normal precipitation in the northern-most portion of the state.
- Three-month: (February-March-April) - Temperature predictions are slightly likely to be below normal in the northeast. Precipitation leaning towards slightly above normal on the eastside.
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Drought monitor
- National Drought Monitor – Most of central and eastern areas of the state, along with the interior of the Olympics, continue to be designated as Abnormally Dry or Moderate Drought, while the far southeastern area is said to be in Severe Drought.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) - WA Water Science Center:
- National Water Dashboard – A range of streamflow statuses, with most close to normal, but some below normal (Walla Walla) or significantly below normal (Nisqually).
Other data tools used and updated:
- Odds of 2026 Water Year Precipitation Reaching 100% - As of January 1, most of the state is at or above 90% odds of reaching 100% of normal precipitation for water year 2026 with the exception of the far southeast and spots around the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, and the southwest. However, when the precipitation arrives still matters for the April to September water supply.
- Climate Mapper – Mean Temperature & Precipitation Anomaly - Last 30 days - Mostly above normal temperatures statewide. Below normal precipitation statewide, especially in the central portion of the state.
- PRISM Palmer Drought Severity Index – A range of values across the state on this drought severity index
Related links
Contact information
Caroline Mellor
Statewide Drought Lead
caroline.mellor@ecy.wa.gov
360-628-4666