Record Pace of Snowmelt in US West Threatens Another Drought
Widespread heat across the US West is causing the snowpack to melt at a record-breaking pace, risking water shortages and an early start to wildfire season.
Parts of the region spanning the West Coast to the lower Mountain West have less than half of the normal amount of snow typical at this time of year, the US National Integrated Drought Information System said in a statement. Some have nothing. Only parts of southern Oregon and a few places in Northern California are holding onto above-average snow pack.
The snowpack is vital to the region, which for more than 20 years has struggled with drought, leaving states struggling to maintain water supplies and contributing to wildfires. The lack of spring runoff also depletes hydroelectric capacity, a key power source for the West.
Though most areas received near-to-above-normal snow in winter, the quick melt caused much of it to change from solid to vapor, which has robbed rivers, streams and reservoirs of runoff needed to replenish water supplies.
'Snow melt this time of year is common, but such rapid melt rates are not normal,' the agency said. 'Some stations in Nevada, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico saw record early melt-out.'
Unlike the east, the western US gets most of its water through the winter months and depends on snowpack high in the mountains melting slowly through the spring and early summer to fill reservoirs and rivers. The water is then used for drinking and agriculture across through the summer and fall.
Arizona and New Mexico are often saved by their summer monsoon season, which starts in late June and July. Forecasters have been expecting a near-normal rainfall for those states.
The forecast through May 25 to 29 calls for continued high temperatures, the US Climate Prediction Center said. Just over half of the land in 11 western states is in drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.
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Time of India
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West US does not have enough water and the reason is record snowmelt
The western United States has long grappled with water scarcity , but a record-breaking snowmelt due to heat waves this year is pushing the region toward a full-blown crisis. "Our reservoirs are not filling up the way they should," says Jessica Martinez, an irrigation specialist in Colorado. "This threatens crops and the electricity grid." The snowpack, crucial for water storage and steady supply, is disappearing rapidly across the region from the West Coast to the Mountain West. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Baca Undo According to the US National Integrated Drought Information System, some areas have less than half the typical snowpack, with parts of Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico experiencing record early melt-out. Also Read : World's wealthiest one per cent responsible for one-fifth of global warming Live Events Only scattered regions in southern Oregon and northern California maintain above-average snow levels. Unlike the eastern US, the West relies heavily on winter snowfall. Snowpack high in the mountains acts as a natural reservoir, gradually melting through spring and early summer to supply water for drinking and agriculture well into the dry months. Economic impact of rapid snowmelt The swift snowmelt will leave rivers and reservoirs dangerously depleted. This runoff is crucial to agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, which is an essential energy source for western states. Businesses in farming and utilities are already bracing for reduced water availability, potentially leading to increased operational costs and production slowdowns. Also Read: The world's biggest companies have caused $28 trillion in climate damage Wildfire risk and energy supply challenges The rapid snowmelt also signals an early wildfire season, increasing risk for communities and commercial assets. Additionally, with less water flowing into hydroelectric plants, energy companies face challenges maintaining renewable power output, potentially pushing up energy prices. Arizona and New Mexico usually benefit from the summer monsoon starting late June, but the ongoing drought and heat exacerbate uncertainty for water-dependent businesses. The US Climate Prediction Center forecasts continued high temperatures through late May, worsening drought conditions that already affect over half the land in 11 western states. 'The situation demands urgent adaptation by businesses and policymakers to secure water and energy resilience,' says environmental analyst Dr. Mark Ellis.
Economic Times
21-05-2025
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TIL Creatives Rapid snowmelt across the western United States, triggered by extreme heat, is draining snowpack reserves and raising alarm for farmers, energy providers, and drought-stricken communities The western United States has long grappled with water scarcity, but a record-breaking snowmelt due to heat waves this year is pushing the region toward a full-blown crisis. "Our reservoirs are not filling up the way they should," says Jessica Martinez, an irrigation specialist in Colorado. "This threatens crops and the electricity grid."The snowpack, crucial for water storage and steady supply, is disappearing rapidly across the region from the West Coast to the Mountain West. According to the US National Integrated Drought Information System, some areas have less than half the typical snowpack, with parts of Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico experiencing record early melt-out. Also Read: World's wealthiest one per cent responsible for one-fifth of global warming Only scattered regions in southern Oregon and northern California maintain above-average snow the eastern US, the West relies heavily on winter snowfall. Snowpack high in the mountains acts as a natural reservoir, gradually melting through spring and early summer to supply water for drinking and agriculture well into the dry swift snowmelt will leave rivers and reservoirs dangerously depleted. This runoff is crucial to agriculture, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, which is an essential energy source for western states. Businesses in farming and utilities are already bracing for reduced water availability, potentially leading to increased operational costs and production slowdowns. Also Read: The world's biggest companies have caused $28 trillion in climate damage The rapid snowmelt also signals an early wildfire season, increasing risk for communities and commercial assets. Additionally, with less water flowing into hydroelectric plants, energy companies face challenges maintaining renewable power output, potentially pushing up energy and New Mexico usually benefit from the summer monsoon starting late June, but the ongoing drought and heat exacerbate uncertainty for water-dependent US Climate Prediction Center forecasts continued high temperatures through late May, worsening drought conditions that already affect over half the land in 11 western states.'The situation demands urgent adaptation by businesses and policymakers to secure water and energy resilience,' says environmental analyst Dr. Mark Ellis.
Mint
21-05-2025
- Mint
Record Pace of Snowmelt in US West Threatens Another Drought
Widespread heat across the US West is causing the snowpack to melt at a record-breaking pace, risking water shortages and an early start to wildfire season. Parts of the region spanning the West Coast to the lower Mountain West have less than half of the normal amount of snow typical at this time of year, the US National Integrated Drought Information System said in a statement. Some have nothing. Only parts of southern Oregon and a few places in Northern California are holding onto above-average snow pack. The snowpack is vital to the region, which for more than 20 years has struggled with drought, leaving states struggling to maintain water supplies and contributing to wildfires. The lack of spring runoff also depletes hydroelectric capacity, a key power source for the West. Though most areas received near-to-above-normal snow in winter, the quick melt caused much of it to change from solid to vapor, which has robbed rivers, streams and reservoirs of runoff needed to replenish water supplies. 'Snow melt this time of year is common, but such rapid melt rates are not normal,' the agency said. 'Some stations in Nevada, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico saw record early melt-out.' Unlike the east, the western US gets most of its water through the winter months and depends on snowpack high in the mountains melting slowly through the spring and early summer to fill reservoirs and rivers. The water is then used for drinking and agriculture across through the summer and fall. Arizona and New Mexico are often saved by their summer monsoon season, which starts in late June and July. Forecasters have been expecting a near-normal rainfall for those states. The forecast through May 25 to 29 calls for continued high temperatures, the US Climate Prediction Center said. Just over half of the land in 11 western states is in drought, according to the US Drought Monitor.
