The National Climate Data Center released its National Overview for 2013 today. The most striking aspect of the report is the perspective that it provides on the drought affecting the West. Washington was one of only five (of the lower 48) states to have less rainfall than normal. In Seattle’s 66 years of record-keeping, last year’s 32.59 inches ranks 55th. That pales in comparison, of course, to dark-red-number-one California, which had it’s driest year on record (and still faces a persisting drought).

While drought may be somewhat of a blessing for urban drainage operations, it is an obvious concern for our water supply. SPU is monitoring conditions and forecasts closely. 

References:
NCDC 2013 National Overview
SPU Climate Change program
Email SPU’s Climate Change team