While parts of the US might have been gripped by a historic snowstorm in recent weeks, it’s been a different story for other areas of the country which are traditionally blanketed in snow at this time of year. In fact, a number of states are currently in the grip of a ‘snow drought’, seeing far lower levels of the white stuff than usual and sparking concern among experts over its potential knock-on effects in the warmer months. (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
While nine states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming – had their warmest December on record, Utah, Colorado and Oregon are among the worst affected. According to figures from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, coverage is roughly a third of what it usually might be at this time of year, with all three states reporting their lowest statewide snowpack since the 1980s. Local forecasters have cited an unseasonably warm winter as the cause. (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Climate scientist Daniel Swain said: ‘The snowpack is essentially as bad as it’s ever been in recorded history for the time of year in at least some portion of every single western US state.’ Meanwhile Mark Serreze, the director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, added: ‘I have not seen a winter like this before…this pattern we’re in is so damn persistent.’ (Picture: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
But just why is the snowpack so important? Well, it’s an essential source of water to basins supplying millions – as well as surrounding agricultural centres and ecosystems. The snow’s water content was measured at below the median level of 91% earlier this month, which in turn has raised concerns about the surrounding Colorado River. (Picture Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The Colorado River runs for 1,450 miles across the west of the US, and serves around 40m people in seven states, as well as 5.5 million acres of farmland, parts of Mexico and dozens of tribes. Around 80% of its water is used for agricultural purposes but river levels have sunk due to long-term overuse and the climate crisis, and February’s water supply outlook is said to be the worst for three decades. Given that more than two-thirds of the river’s water comes from mountain snow, experts are naturally worried. (Picture: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The lack of snow has also fuelled fears of an early wildfire season once warmer weather arrives. Daniel McEvoy, a researcher with the Western Regional Climate Centre, warned that a lack of snow leaves the ground exposed to warmer conditions which dries out the soil and vegetation quicker, increasing the risk of fires. While snow is present higher up, it’s a different story at lower levels, where snow has either melted or was never there to begin with. (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
McEvoy explained: ‘It was so warm, especially in December, that the snow was only falling at the highest parts of the mountains. Then we moved into January and it got dry almost everywhere for the last three to four weeks and stayed warm.’ While meteorologists have said they expect the coming days to be wetter and cooler as weather moves in across the west – bringing some snow with it – it could be too little, too late. (Picture: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), February and March are typically heavy months for snow in the region, and the forecast suggests they can expect above-average precipitation in the next few weeks, which could equally spell an end to the warmer temperatures. However, they also warned that any snowfall over the next couple of months might not make up for the current deficit. (Picture: Mario Tama/Getty Images)Add as preferred source
