Low snowpack could bring water deficit

CHENEY – The current water supply outlook for Washington is an early assessment, but it shows little snowpack through December.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program hydrologist Matt Warbritton, the snowpack is significantly lower-than-average, but overall precipitation is only slightly below average, thanks to December rainfall.

Because of the strong El Nino events this year, the region has seen warmer temperatures with more rain, Warbritton said.

"Early in December, we had some atmospheric river eve...