NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service
04/09/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/09/2026 12:30
April 2026 Washington Water Supply Outlook Report
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) statewide for April 1, 2026 is at 52% of normal. With nearly all Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) network stations reaching their peak snow accumulation date (on or around April 1 most typically), the peak season for accumulating snowpack has passed. As of April 1, 14 SNOTEL stations and snow courses in Washington were at record low SWE and 9 were at the 2nd lowest SWE for their period of record. Basin SWE conditions across the state are variable but 9 basins are well below normal (less than 50% median SWE for this date) with the Upper Yakima and Olympic basins recording the lowest values at 36% and 35% SWE respectively. 4 basins are below normal (50-69% range in median SWE) and the North Puget Sound basin is slightly below normal with a SWE of 70%.
As of April 1, overall lack of snow in the mountains is significantly influencing Water Supply Forecasts (WSFs). Although all basins in Washington have received near normal to above normal precipitation for the Water Year To Date (WYTD, Oct. 1 to Sept. 30), a snow drought (defined here) persists through most basins in Washington. With the current snowpack deficit expected to persist through spring, most basins in Washington can expect to see below normal to slightly below normal runoff. Having reached the peak snow accumulation date for most locations in Washington, the April 1 forecasts are showing more certainty in the relationship between current conditions and expected streamflow in late spring to early summer. Snowmelt in spring and early summer provide much of the water supply statewide for many different users and purposes. Forecasts of expected runoff assist water users and managers plan for conditions they may expect during peak summer usage.
To access reports dating back to 2010, click here. For further questions, please contact Matt Warbritton, USDA-NRCS Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program supervisory hydrologist, via email at [email protected]or phone at (503)307-2829.
NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service published this content on April 09, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 09, 2026 at 18:30 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]