With low snowpack and a dry, warm summer forecast, Washington’s Department of Ecology declared a drought emergency for nearly the entire state on Tuesday.

The drought declaration covers all of Washington state except for parts of Tacoma up through SeaTac and Seattle, to just north of Everett. A drought is declared in Washington state when there is less than 75% of normal water supply and there is a risk of undue hardship, according to Ecology.

According to Ecology, after the exceptionally dry start to winter, the state’s snowpack made up some ground in February, March, and April, but it’s diminishing, and “there is simply not enough water contained in mountain snow and reservoirs to prevent serious impacts for water users in the months ahead.”
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