A historic snow drought is gripping the American West, bringing record heat and putting future water supplies at risk. This situation threatens not only the environment but also winter tourism and outdoor fun.
Data shows that snow cover and depth are at their lowest levels in decades. For example, normally, about 460,000 square miles of the West should be covered in snow by this time. This year, it’s down to just 155,000 square miles, roughly the size of California. Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, expressed surprise at the persistent pattern, stating that he’s never seen a winter like this in 40 years.
In Oregon, snowpack levels are not just low; they are 30% below the previous low record. Jason Gerlich from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted that many parts of the West are experiencing less than half of their average precipitation for January. This has significant implications for agriculture, cities, and hydropower, as a steady water supply in spring relies on snowmelt.
Interestingly, while the western states are in crisis, regions east of the Rockies are dealing with extreme cold. In West Jordan, Utah, residents have commented on the bizarre situation of warm temperatures with no snow. Trevor Stephens, a local, lamented, “I’d definitely rather have icy roads and snow than whatever is going on out here right now.”
The ongoing drought also raises alarm about an early wildfire season. Without sufficient snow, soils dry faster, increasing the chances of wildfires when spring and summer roll around. Daniel Swain from the University of California emphasizes that this low snowpack situation is concerning for the Colorado River Basin, a crucial water source for the southwestern U.S.
Experts link the unusual warmth to climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Since December, over 8,500 daily temperature records have been broken in the West. Instead of snow, much of the precipitation is falling as rain, running off quickly rather than replenishing the mountains and rivers. Russ Schumacher, a climatologist, highlighted that the warmth has been unusually extreme, particularly in December, allowing snow to fall only at the highest elevations.
Looking ahead, meteorologists predict that cooler, wetter weather may bring some snow. While this could help reduce the snow deficit, experts are doubtful it will reach average levels. As Schumacher puts it, “I don’t think there’s any way we’re going to go back up to average.”
The implications of this snow drought are far-reaching. In addition to water shortages, it could impact everything from agriculture to tourism, raising questions about the future in the context of climate change.
For further insights on this topic, visit the AP’s environmental coverage.
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environment, snow drought, western US heat
