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Western US States Face Severe Snow Drought, Raising Wildfire Concerns
Several western US states are experiencing record-low snowpack, which experts warn could lead to water shortages. The snow drought conditions in the Rockies are the worst recorded since 2001.
A severe snow drought is impacting the western United States, with potentially dire consequences. Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona are all dealing with record-low mountain snow accumulation. According to Russ Schumacher, Colorado's state climatologist and director of the Colorado Climate Center, the state has not seen a snow drought this bad in over 40 years. Jon Meyer, Utah's climatologist, confirmed similar conditions in his state. NASA released imagery in mid-January showing minimal snow cover in the Rocky Mountains and Cascades. The imagery represents the lowest level recorded on that date since 2001, when satellite monitoring began.
Key Facts
- Sparse snow cover in the Rocky Mountains and Cascades is the lowest recorded since 2001.
- The snowpack is the accumulation of mountain snow that replenishes rivers, reservoirs, and drinking water after it melts.
- Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona are experiencing record-low snowpack.
- Colorado's state climatologist says the state has not seen a snow drought this severe in over 40 years.
- Utah's climatologist confirmed similar conditions in his state.
- Ski resorts in the West showed chairlifts idling over bare ground this winter.
- NASA released imagery in mid-January showing the sparse snow cover.