OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and parts of ten other counties in Washington state.

The Nooksack Basin and the Upper and Lower Skagit Basins are among the watersheds that are affected by low snowmelt, lack of spring rain and low stream flows.

Other regions facing emergencies are parts of Okanogan and Snohomish Counties, on the Olympic Peninsula and in central and southeast Washington.

Ecology says drought conditions have three water systems north and west of Ferndale operating on emergency status with some wells having gone dry.

Forecasts call for continued warm and dry weather.

Ecology’s Water Resources program manager says this is “likely a sign of things to come” as climate change makes warm, dry summers more severe.