Higher elevations of Olympics listed as being in 'moderate drought'

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- The U.S. Drought Monitor has listed the higher elevations of the Olympic Mountains to be in the "moderate drought" stage and the lower elevations as "abnormally dry."

The Peninsula Daily News first reported the monitor's conditions for the Olympics.

In addition, much of central Washington is already listed by the monitor as being in moderate drought or abnormally dry -- which could lead to a bad forest fire season.

A new drought report for the state is expected to available Thursday here.

NOAA provided these numbers for current snowpack Tuesday night: % of normal

5% at White Pass

12% at Hurricane Ridge (Olympics)

15% at Mount Baker

33% at Stevens Pass

Under 50% at Mount Rainier.

The El Nino weather effect brings Washington state drier-than-normal snowpack every four to seven years.