3 mountain regions have drought conditions

OLYMPIA — Three mountain regions are experiencing drought conditions with low snowpack, Gov. Jay Inslee said today.

Inslee issued a drought conditions warning, saying certain communities could receive emergency assistance.

The Olympic Mountains have a snowpack that is 7 percent of normal, the Department of Ecology said. In the Cascades, the snowpack ranges from 8 percent to 45 percent of normal, and in the Walla Walla region, it’s at 67 percent.

Warm winter weather meant more of the precipitation fell as rain, rather than snow, and weather forecasts suggest conditions aren’t going to get better. The Department of Ecology is requesting $9 million in drought relief from the Legislature.