Drought emergency remains in effect for Whatcom County amid warm winter

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Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Photo: Contributed

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A lack of snowfall this winter is causing concerns for water supply later this year.

That’s according to the Washington State Department of Ecology, which released an update on drought conditions on Friday, Feb. 27.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Ecology issued an initial drought declaration last April and upgraded it to a drought emergency in Whatcom County last June. Drought advisories across the state have remained in effect ever since.

Deputy State Climatologist Karin Bumbaco theorizes that in order to return to normal levels of 100%, record levels of snow would need to fall and stick between now and April.

The North Puget Sound snow water region, which covers most of Whatcom County, currently sits at 76%. In comparison, the Upper Yakima region has reported snowpack levels of 36%.

Ecology says that temperatures have been above average since October, which they consider the start of the 2026 “water year.”

They add that so far, 2026 is on track to be the warmest water year on record.

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