State’s snowpack has 3rd slowest start since 1990s

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — Officials say Washington’s snowpack is less than it was a year ago and similar to the state’s last big drought.

Natural Resources Conservation Service water supply specialist Scott Pattee says it’s the third slowest start in snow accumulation statewide since the 1990s with one of the driest Novembers on record.

The Capital Press reported Monday the statewide snowpack is 47% of normal and was 46% of normal at this time five years ago.

The U.S. Climate Prediction Center says the outlook for precipitation is better than normal west of the Cascade crest and normal to the east.