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Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
With record-breaking snowmelt, is the western US at risk for wildfires like those in Canada?
DENVER – A rapid snowmelt across the western United States is setting records for how quickly the frozen precipitation is disappearing and also raising alarms about future wildfire activity. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, many mountainous regions in states such as Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico saw near- to above-average snowfall, but now many of the same basins are experiencing drought. The rapid loss of snowpack, combined with elevated evaporation rates, can quickly dry out soils and vegetation, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. "Snowmelt this time of year is common, but such rapid melt rates are not normal," experts with NIDIS stated. "In some instances, above-normal temperatures such as these can cause snow to sublimate (transition from a solid to a gas) and reduce runoff into streams and reservoirs." Examples of snowless mountains include Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado and Baldy Mountain in Arizona. Canadian Wildfires Bring Poor Air Quality, Hazy Skies, Red Sunsets Across Central, Eastern U.s. Large sections of Canada have also seen a shorter snowmelt period, which has coincided with an uptick in wildfire activity. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, more than 200 wildfires continue to burn across the country, with nearly 6.4 million acres destroyed since the beginning of the year. While the figures appear to be staggering, they are still far short of 2023, when some 37 million acres burned, setting records for the country's worst fire season on record. The previous record-breaking season led to significant smoke infiltration of the U.S., impacting air quality readings for millions of residents across North America. Similar plumes of smoke have been observed during recent weeks, but due to the jet stream, most of the particles have remained elevated well above the surface. A pattern shift would undoubtedly allow more of the hazardous air to reach the surface, leading to health concerns in addition to visibility issues. With a lack of snow and fire dangers increasing across the western U.S., it might only be a matter of time before firefighters are racing to contain wildfires from the Desert Southwest to the Northern Rockies. Because of the general west-to-east wind flow across the U.S., any large wildfire that pops up in the West naturally sends smoke eastward, potentially impacting a large chunk of the country. Before And After Images Show The Extent Of Wildfire Damage Around Los Angeles So far, the U.S. has been experiencing only an average wildfire season, but some of the worst months are still ahead. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 1.2 million acres have burned in 2025, which is below last year's figure, which was in excess of 2 million through the first five months of the year. Outside of Florida, most counties facing drought conditions are in the western U.S., with nearly a third of the nation officially in significant deficit, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. As the calendar year heads deeper into summer, forecasters expect drought conditions to expand in many locations west of the Mississippi River, including in the Northern Plains and throughout article source: With record-breaking snowmelt, is the western US at risk for wildfires like those in Canada?
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Abnormal snowpack melt in California, western U.S. increases wildfire and drought risks
The snowpack in California and other western U.S. states is melting at a record-breaking pace despite above-average snowfall in many areas, threatening an early start to the wildfire season and persistence of drought conditions, authorities announced. The National Integrated Drought Information System issued an update Tuesday warning of the rapid snowmelt because of above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation in April and May. The NIDIS said nearly all western basins are in late-season snow drought, an abnormally low snowpack for the time of year, even in areas that reached near to above-average water content in the snowpack during the winter. The rapid depletion of snow, along with increased evaporative demand - or how "thirsty" the atmosphere is for water - can quickly dry soils and vegetation and lead to the fire season's early start. "Snowmelt this time of year is common, but such rapid melt rates are not normal," the report stated. In some instances, the conditions can cause snow to transition from a solid to a gas, reducing the runoff into streams and reservoirs, according to the report. Stations in Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico saw record early melt out, the report said. These areas, along with Southern California, Arizona, and portions of Washington, are locations where drought is likely to persist. Heightened wildland fire risk is also expected in California's Sierra Nevada and other areas of the state, as well as in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, southern Nevada, eastern Washington, and northern Idaho. The 6-10 day outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center indicates above-normal temperatures across most of the West, which would accelerate snowmelt rates at the higher elevations where snow remains.
The Hill
01-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Rapid snowmelt threatens US West water supply outlook
Rapid melts across the U.S. West have caused snowpack to disappear up to four weeks early in some areas — wreaking potential havoc on the region's water supply, federal meteorologists warned on Thursday. These conditions have particularly affected parts of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, causing some basins to shift from above-average snowpack to 'snow drought,' according to an update from the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). That transition occurred in under a month, with snow disappearing one to four weeks earlier than usual, the NIDIS updated stated. Tracking snow drought — a period characterized by abnormally little snow for a given time of year — is critical to assessing potential impacts to water supply, soil moisture and wildfire potential, the meteorologists noted. Washington and Utah have already declared drought emergencies due to low snowpack, as well as below-average streamflow forecasts and long-term impacts of dryness, according to NIDIS. The Washington State Department of Ecology recently declared an emergency in the Yakima Basin, while issuing advisories for several watershed in the central and northern Cascades. Meanwhile, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) last week published a drought executive order that announced a state of emergency in 17 counties. 'I urge all Utahns to be extremely mindful of their water use and find every possible way to conserve,' Cox stated at the time. 'Water conservation is critical for Utah's future.' As for the Colorado River Basin, the NIDIS update said that supply forecasts for this region declined in comparison to April 1 projections, presumably due to dry conditions and early, rapid snowmelt. Peak snow-water equivalent — the amount of water contained in snow — in the Southwest was also much below the median, according to the report.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm as unusual conditions could threaten water supply for millions of Americans: 'Abysmal'
Drought has defined water conditions in the western United States in recent years. This year, conditions seem particularly dry in the southwestern U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Drought Information System. The organizations released a report earlier this month detailing snow-water conditions across the West. The report concluded dry conditions plagued the Southwest and produced "deepening snow deficits." Of the western U.S., 62% experienced below-average snow-water conditions this winter, NOAA and NIDIS reported. The driest areas included northwestern Montana, eastern Wyoming, central and southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado, while Arizona and New Mexico had the least precipitation. Arizona and New Mexico recorded less than 50% of normal snow-water conditions at all but two monitoring stations. Some of these stations –– like Verde Basin and Little Colorado Basin in Arizona –– experienced as little as 8% and 17% of normal conditions, respectively. The report described the Southwest's snowpack as "abysmal," which could be "critical" for the region's water supply. Arizona and New Mexico's dry winters will decrease the Southwest's water supply into the spring and summer. The Bureau of Reclamation forecasts inflow into Lake Powell –– which supplies water to communities in Arizona, Nevada, and California –– at 67% of normal from April to July. This winter does not mark the Southwest's first poor snowpack. Lake Powell has experienced "long-term persistent drought" and below-average water levels since 2002, according to Western Resource Advocates. The organization described the snowpack in Lake Powell's watershed as "rarely" being above average. This decline in snow-water conditions results from changes in climate rather than weather. Rising temperatures are making droughts more common and more severe, reported NOAA. Warmer temperatures, according to NOAA, allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture before falling as rain or snow. Less precipitation can decrease water resources, like Lake Powell, and impact other weather events, like wildfires. Increased risk for wildfires exists in the Southwest through June, predicts the National Interagency Fire Center. Droughts persist due to rising temperatures, but we can mitigate their impact. Education and action regarding climate issues can bring attention to them. Legislation that concerns these issues, like the Drought Contingency Plan that manages and conserves water in Lake Powell, can prevent negative consequences from them. Success stories of once drought-ridden landscapes, like Lake Urmia in Iran, give cause for hope. Other projects, like one to improve drinking water in Florida, help both drought-affected environments and communities. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
