Record Heat Meets a Major Snow Drought Across the West

This winter was the warmest on record in six Western states, and the Colorado River Basin has record-low snow cover. A rapid March heat wave is accelerating melt and reducing the season’s snowpack.

Record warmth and an extreme March heat wave have left much of the U.S. West with exceptionally low snowpack. This winter was the warmest on record for Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Oregon, and snow cover in the Colorado River Basin is at its lowest level on record. Officials and scientists say warmer temperatures shifted precipitation toward rain, accelerated melting and raised risks for water supplies and wildfire. Key details: - The article reports that in early March most of the Western United States had less than two-thirds of typical snowpack for the time of year, with some areas—especially parts of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Oregon—below one-quarter of normal. - Scientists cited in the piece describe the recent heat as extreme and note it would be very unlikely without human-caused climate change, according to a World Weather Attribution analysis reported in the article. - The Denver Water Board is poised to declare Stage One drought restrictions, and federal agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation say they are monitoring hydrologic conditions to guide river and reservoir decisions. Summary: Lower-than-usual snowpack combined with a rapid, early-season heat wave is expected to shift peak snowmelt earlier and reduce the slow-release water supply that many Western systems depend on. Officials describe heightened strain on reservoirs and water planning; Denver Water is preparing local restrictions, and broader Colorado River decision-making and negotiations are unresolved and undetermined at this time.