Winter isn't done with the Pacific Northwest

January might have been a "dud" in terms of typical La Niña winter weather patterns, but Washington State Climatologist Nick Bond says there's plenty more winter ahead.

"Looking ahead to February into March, we should have a return of more normal weather and growth in the snowpack," Bond says. "And here's hoping that snowpack comes around, because there's some places that we could use a little bit more."

(For what it's worth, Punxsutawney Phil seems to agree with Bond. The groundhog saw his shadow Thursday, predicting another six weeks of winter.)

A healthy snowpack bodes well for water supplies across the state and less severe conditions heading into the summer months.

Bond says this summer is likely going to be on the warmer, drier side. That's no surprise as summers have been getting warmer over the last few decades, he notes.

If that prospect is reminding you of the record heat that struck the region in June 2021, though, don't worry — yet.

"We can't really say too much about those kinds of events," Bond says. "Certainly, overall, when it's warmer... conceivably it could get quite hot."