Washington state technically isn’t under a drought but 2013 ended with most of the state “abornally dry,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The map from the agency shows all but the far eastern part of the state, or about 82 percent of the state, under the “abnormally dry” conditions.
“Dry conditions continued east of the cascades in Washington,” wrote weather forecaster Matthew Rosencrans in the official summary of conditions.
As an example of the impact conditions are having, The Summit at Snoqualmie Pass remained closed for skiing and snowboarding, almost three weeks later than average.
However, there is good news.
A “moist storm system” is expected to move through parts of north-central and northeast Washington beginning on Thursday. Moderate snow is possible at higher elevations into Friday, said the National Weather Service’s Spokane office.
The region includes the northern and central Panhandle Mountains, the Okanogan Highlands, the east slopes of the northern Cascades, and Okanogan Valley.
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