Federal meteorologists have warned that normal temperature patterns, along with light precipitation, are causing rapid snow melt in the western United States. This situation is expected to diminish water supplies for the spring and summer.
Much of the Western Basins has been experiencing what’s termed a “snow drought” this late in the season, meaning there have been periods of lower-than-expected snow accumulation this year, as noted by the National Integrated Drought Information System on Tuesday.
Even in areas where snowpack levels were higher than usual during the accumulation season, nearly all regions are affected by these concerning conditions, according to the findings.
The meteorologists pointed to early low snowfall levels in states like Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico as contributing factors to the current situation.
The swift snow melt, sometimes referred to as “atmospheric thirst,” along with increased evaporation, is leading to drier soil and struggling vegetation.
While periods of rapid melting are not uncommon, this speed is unusual, one meteorologist remarked.
In some instances, regular temperatures might even sublimate the snow—transforming it from solid to gas—which would limit runoff into streams and reservoirs.
In the Intermountain West, drought conditions continue to worsen, with U.S. drought monitors indicating that 27% of the area is facing “extreme or exceptional drought,” an increase from 20% just two months ago.
The forecasts for water supplies in the Colorado River and Rio Grande Basins have significantly declined following a lack of rainfall in April, as detailed by one report author.
“These drought conditions could persist into summer, especially given the forecast for warmer-than-usual temperatures,” the meteorologist indicated.
