Drought Information Statement for Western Washington 
Valid August 15, 2025
Issued By: NWS Seattle, WA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated by Sep 15, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/sew/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates.
STATE OF WASHINGTON DECLARES NEARLY STATEWIDE DROUGHT EMERGENCY (see link)
Low precipitation; low water supply outlook; dry weather are the main reasons 
1

U.S. Drought Monitor
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
U.S. Drought Monitor for western Washington

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Central and northern Cascades near the crest.

D2 (Severe Drought): North coast, strait of Juan de Fuca, Cascades, Puget Sound area.

D1 (Moderate Drought): Western Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties, central coast, Olympics, SW Washington.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
4-week change map for western Washington
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought worsened over portions of the area

Precipitation
Last 30 days
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Despite wetting rains over the past 30 days, western WA has experienced below normal precipitation compared to normal

Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
National Weather Service
Seattle, Washington
Hydrologic Impacts 
Water supply outlook is for mostly below normal to well below normal (NWS NWRFC)
Streamflow is largely below to much below normal (USGS)

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture is below normal
Crop Moisture Index is below normal (CPC)

Fire Hazard Impacts
Increased fire danger conditions, greater than normal wildfire potential  (NIFC)
Various burn bans in effect (WADNR)

Other Impacts
Washington State Declared Drought Emergency for western Washington
Clallam Bay/Seiku and Island View water systems were under stage 3 and stage 4 drought alerts. Water may need to be trucked in Drought Impact Reporter

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your local municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Streamflows over the past 28 days are mostly below normal to much below normal
 
Figure Caption: USGS 28 day streamflows for Washington

Fire Hazard Impacts
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for September 2025
Image caption: Latest DNR Burn Ban map available here.
Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.
Western Washington has above normal wildland fire potential through summer

High to Very High wildfire danger throughout western WA; burn bans in effect

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Significant rainfall is forecast in western Washington over the coming week

Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid August 15-22, 2025 with most precipitation falling on August 15-16th

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Odds lean toward above normal  temperatures on average through the month of October

Odds lean towards equal chance of above, below or normal precipitation through the month of October
Image Captions: 
Left - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Temperature Outlook. 
Right - Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Precipitation Outlook.
Valid Aug through Oct 2025

Drought Outlook
National Weather Service
Seattle, WA
Drought expected to persist across western Washington

Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook 
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage