Tag

Snowpack

All articles tagged with #snowpack

environment6 days ago•5 min saved

California's Fire Season Roars Early as Blazes Threaten Homes and Pines

California is already contending with multiple large wildfires in May as hot, windy conditions heighten risk statewide; the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Channel Islands National Park has burned about 16,600 acres and threatens a rare Torrey pine grove, though early assessments suggest the stand remains intact; the Sandy Fire near Simi Valley has scorched around 1,400 acres and is only 5% contained, while the River Fire in Kern County has burned more than 3,500 acres and is 15% contained. About 41,000 acres have burned this season, well above the five-year average of 23,380, signaling a potentially severe year ahead. Record warmth has gutted snowpack—the Sierra Nevada is at about 9% of its normal level—underscoring climate-change as a driver of longer, more intense fires.

via WIRED|

#california #channel-islands #climate-change

weather20 days ago•2 min saved

Late-Season Colorado Snowstorm Could Be This Season’s Largest

A late-season snowstorm moving through Colorado could become the season’s biggest snowfall, with winter storm warnings in effect around Denver and the Rockies, and snow expected to persist into midweek. While the storm will help snowpack and benefit ski areas, experts say it is unlikely to end the drought or dramatically reduce wildfire risk.

via The New York Times|

#colorado #denver #may

science1 month ago•4 min saved

U.S. Faces Record Drought, Elevating Wildfire, Water and Food-Price Risks

Record drought grips the continental U.S. with 61% of the Lower 48 in moderate to exceptional drought and near-total dryness in the Southeast, driven by a March drought peak and historically low snowpack in the West; experts warn this could worsen wildfire seasons, strain water supplies, and push up food prices as crop yields may falter, with El Niño forces and climate change amplifying the trend.

via CBS News|

#climate-change #drought #food-prices

weather1 month ago•5 min saved

Could a Super El Niño Finally End Colorado’s Drought?

A potential super El Niño could bring above-average precipitation and substantial snowfall to Colorado, offering hope that the state’s long-running drought may ease. Forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center show a trajectory toward El Niño conditions this summer and a non‑zero chance (up to a third) of a “strong” or super El Niño by late 2026, with warmer Pacific waters potentially boosting storms and the monsoon. Past super El Niños (1982–83, 1997–98, 2015–16) produced wetter winters in parts of Colorado, but impacts are uncertain and depend on regional factors; current statewide snowpack is only about 22% of normal, stressing reservoirs, so even a powerful El Niño is not a guaranteed fix. Authorities remain cautiously optimistic but emphasize the unpredictable nature of long-range weather.

via The Coloradoan|

#climate-prediction-center #colorado-drought #el-nino

environment1 month ago•4 min saved

Washington Bets on Conservation as Snowpack Shrinks and Drought Looms

Washington state has declared a statewide drought emergency after an unusually warm winter left mountain snowpack near record lows, threatening summer water supplies, fish habitat, and wildfire risk; officials warn supplies will likely fall short of demand and have launched emergency measures, including grants and expedited water-right processing, as forecasts show continued high temperatures and below-normal precipitation through June.

via KOMO|

#climate-change #drought #environment

environment-energy2 months ago•12 min saved

Historic Snow Drought Tests the West's Water, Power and Fire Season

Winter 2026 brought an unprecedented snow drought across the Western U.S., with most basins well below the 1991–2020 median and only a few near or above average. The reduced snowpack tightens water supplies and river flows, signals possible cuts to water rights allocations, and threatens Lake Powell’s hydroelectric power capacity. Warmer temperatures and sparse snow raise concerns about a fiercer fire season, making this drought a high-stakes stress test for the West and a potential glimpse of a warmer climate future.

via The Conversation|

#climate-change #environment-energy #snow-drought

world2 months ago•175 min saved

Satellite images reveal Western snowpack at record lows after a scorching March

A record-warm March melted the western U.S. snowpack to historic lows, with California’s snowpack at just about 22% of average and Sierra Nevada snow cover dropping from 52% to 21% in a month. Colorado River Basin snowpack is at record lows, threatening summer water supplies for millions and potentially worsening drought and wildfire risk. NASA Worldview satellite imagery highlights the rapid melt, and climate scientists say human-caused warming is shifting snowmelt timing and intensifying heat waves, signaling more strain on water resources in the years ahead.

via CNN|

#climate-change #colorado-river #drought

climate2 months ago•7 min saved

West Heat Wave and Possible El Niño Set Stage for a Chaotic Weather Year

A record-breaking Western heat wave and a likely strong El Niño later this year could drive months of extreme, unpredictable weather into 2026, worsening drought and low snowpack that threaten river flows and water supplies while potentially heightening wildfire risk amid ongoing human-caused climate warming.

via WIRED|

#climate #colorado-river #el-nino

weather2 months ago•3 min saved

Unseasonal Southwest Heatwave Pushes Temperatures into Triple Digits

A dangerous, unusually early heatwave is building across the US Southwest, with Phoenix potentially hitting 100F as temperatures soar 20–30F above normal across California, Nevada and Arizona. The heat—trapped under a heat dome—could push highs above 90F along the coast and approach 110F inland for several days, prompting heat advisories and health warnings. Relief isn’t expected until the weekend or next week. The rapid warmth threatens California’s already dry snowpack by accelerating melt and risking reduced reservoir releases later in the year, while wildfire risk remains low in much of the Southwest due to light winds, though conditions could differ farther east.

via BBC|

#arizona #california #heatwave

weather2 months ago•2 min saved

Western U.S. faces two-wave, record-breaking early-spring heat

Forecasters warn an extreme early-season heatwave will bake the Western U.S. for days, with temperatures 20-30F above normal, potential March all-time highs in California, shrinking snowpack, and elevated drought and wildfire risks as two waves move from the coast toward the interior, affecting roughly 26 million people.

via The Guardian|

#drought #heatwave #snowpack

weather2 months ago•6 min saved

SoCal March heat wave may shatter temperature records

Southern California faces a potentially dangerous heat wave this week, with highs in the 90s and possibly 100 degrees in many areas, enough to threaten March temperature records and accelerate fire season, though overnight cooling and some moisture could offer brief relief and help preserve dwindling snowpack.

via Los Angeles Times|

#fire-season #heat-wave #snowpack

world3 months ago•3 min saved

Record 13 die in Italian Alps as avalanches spike during Olympic week

A record 13 backcountry skiers, climbers and hikers died in Italy’s mountains in the past week, including 10 fatalities from avalanches triggered by an unstable snowpack, prompting warnings to backcountry travelers as Winter Olympic competitions begin and authorities stress that managed Olympic sites remain safe.

via cbsnews.com|

#avalanches #backcountry #italy

environment3 months ago•1 min saved

Record-Breaking Snow Drought Threatens Western Water and Recreation

Across the U.S. West, an extreme snow drought driven by unusually warm temperatures has yielded record-low snow cover, risking water resources and winter recreation from Utah to Oregon as bare ground becomes common and artificial snow is used in some locations.

via The New York Times|

#climate-change #environment #snow-drought

environment4 months ago•2 min saved

California experiences first drought-free year in 25 years after winter storms

California is officially drought-free for the first time in 25 years due to recent heavy rainfall and winter storms, filling reservoirs and alleviating drought conditions, though snowpack levels remain below average, leaving some uncertainty about future water supply.

via The Guardian|

#california #drought #environment

environment4 months ago•3 min saved

West Faces Record Low Snowpack and Snow Drought Challenges in 2025

Summit County in Colorado has recorded its lowest snowpack on record due to an unseasonably warm December, with temperatures among the hottest ever recorded in the state. Despite upcoming storms, the snow levels remain well below normal, exacerbating drought conditions across the region. Climate experts suggest that these warm and dry patterns are part of a broader trend linked to climate change.

via SummitDaily.com|

#climate-change #colorado #drought