Millions of residents in Washington are continuing to face the brunt of one of the state's driest years on record.
What's happening?
According to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, just about the entire state of Washington is experiencing at least moderate drought conditions as we make our way through the second half of the year.
Altogether, nearly 6.6 million Washingtonians are now being impacted by below-average rainfall, and there appears to be little relief on the horizon. This could spell trouble for many communities in dire need, especially the 14% of the state currently up against extreme drought conditions.
On June 5, the Washington Department of Ecology announced that it was expanding its drought emergency that was first declared in April. The announcement revealed that the North and Central Cascade Mountains and parts of the Puget Sound area had been included in the widespread drought advisory.
Why are drought conditions in Washington important?
As noted by Caroline Mellor, the Washington Department of Ecology's statewide drought lead, the cause of the sprawling drought was multifaceted. "Drought this year is driven both by snowpack and precipitation deficits," Mellor said in a statement. "While it's normal for snow to melt in the spring, what we've seen over the last two months is unusually rapid, with snowpack melting away as much as 33 days earlier than normal in some river basins."
Rapid snowpack melt can worsen drought conditions by causing early runoff and decreasing late-season water availability. The rapid melt can lead to increased evaporation and leave river systems drier later in the summer, potentially impacting water supplies for ecosystems, agriculture, and human use.
This water shortage can result in widespread losses of crops and pastures, significantly increased fire dangers, and major water shortages. It can also trigger water restrictions, which may greatly impact quality of life for residents.
What's being done about the ongoing drought in Washington?
According to the Sunnyside Sun, long-term weather forecasts for much of Washington will do little to offer a sense of optimism. A majority of the state will continue to experience higher temperatures and decreased precipitation.
This could result in a number of challenges for Washington's agriculture industry. On July 14, the Roza Irrigation District in Sunnyside, Washington, announced that it was cutting back water deliveries to just 3 gallons per minute per acre.
While customers in the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District can expect 6.67 gallons per minute per acre, more restrictions may soon be put in place. "Unless we get a significant rainstorm, things are not going to get better," Sunnyside Valley wrote in a message. "We urge all of you to be prepared for another drop in the forecast."
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While droughts are nothing new, their prevalence and severity have been fueled by increased carbon pollution and the rising global temperature. Warmer temperatures mean that the air can hold more moisture, leading to increased evaporation from soil and plants.
By opting to switch to renewable energy resources and decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels, we can work toward lowering the impact of critical climate issues and offering a cooler and brighter future.
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