State ecology officials recently said it’s not all bad news when it comes to the current state of Washington’s water year. But just like water, good news is also in short supply. 

Data shared at the latest meeting of the state’s Water Supply Availability Committee revealed some positive updates compared to earlier in the spring, according to a release. However, they are doing little to change the situation on the ground. 

Temperature-wise, 2026 is no longer the third warmest year on record. However, it is still hot enough to establish it as the fourth-warmest year on record, straining crops, fish and increased evaporation of water sources. 

Statewide, precipitation is actually slightly above normal at 102% of the 30-year average. Unfortunately, much of it fell as rain in December, which led to flooding while failing to build snowpack. June precipitation was 82% of normal, with some areas east of the Cascade Mountains recording 30% of normal precipitation. 

Snowpack is now at normal levels for this point of the water year, but that’s because snow telemetry monitoring stations typically don’t have any snow to record at this time. Snowpack melted off at many stations about a month early. 

Overall, state ecology officials expect the rest of the summer to be warmer and drier than normal, with the fall expected to be the same.