Washington Snowpack Rebounds Following Recent Storms

SEATTLE, WA — Following a dismal start to the season, Washington's water supply received a much-needed boost this month, thanks to a series of wet and snowy weather patterns.

At the beginning of the year, state snowpack levels still lagged far behind seasonal norms throughout the state, bringing unwelcome reminders of the state's last big drought in 2015. On Jan. 1, the central Puget Sound and the Upper Yakima regions sat at just 39 percent of the median.

Just three weeks later, we are looking at a much different picture.

January's storms dumped several feet of snow in the Olympics and Cascades, doing quite a bit to make up for lost time. By Thursday, much of the state neared or surpassed 100 percent of their normal levels. Only three zones remain below 90 percent, but all areas have seen major gains.

With a lot more winter weather possible in the months ahead, water supply experts say Washington looks to be in "pretty good shape for the year."