Drought
Above normalWashington drought
Share of state area in drought (D1-D4) or worse, week over week
Data through Aug 25, 2026 · source last checked Aug 27, 2026 · page revised Aug 27, 2026
Cite
- % in drought
About this data
- Source
- US Drought Monitor (National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, NOAA)
- Series
- Share of area in moderate drought (D1) or worse
- Geography
- Washington
- Unit
- %
- Calculation
- Conditions as of the prior Tuesday
- Last observation
- Aug 25, 2026
- Update frequency
- Weekly, released Thursdays
Drought held steady week over week (now 72%).
Drought coverage in Washington held steady at 72% week over week, though conditions worsened 8 percentage points over the month from 64%. Year over year the state has improved, down from 100% last August. The 72% coverage sits 13 points above the 5-year median for this period.
| Period | Current | Prior | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week over week | 72% | 72% | +0 pts |
| Month over month | 72% | 64% | +8 pts |
| Year over year | 72% | 100% | -28 pts |
| vs 5-yr median | 72% | 58% | +13 pts |
Previous weeks
Week of Aug 18, 2026
Drought coverage in Washington worsened to 72% of state area, up 8 percentage points on the week. Coverage is 13 percentage points above its 5-year median. Year over year, the state has improved 28 points from 100% a year ago.
An earlier week
Washington's drought coverage held at 64% this week. Year over year, the share fell 32 points from 96%. Current levels run 11 points above the 5-year median of 53%.
Week of Aug 13, 2026
Washington drought held steady at 64% of the state in moderate drought or worse this week, but month-over-month the picture differs. Drought coverage has risen 18 points over the past month and now sits 11 points above the 5-year median. Year over year, the state has improved substantially, down 32 points from August 2025.