Snow drought persists in parts of the US West, after April warmth accelerates snowmelt
The effects of a "snow drought" are still plaguing parts of the West, after a stretch of warm, dry weather last month accelerated the season's snowmelt, federal meteorologists reported.
While California's Sierra Nevada has received sufficient snow this season to escape such a designation, the same cannot be said for areas in the northern Rocky Mountains and Washington State, according to an update issued Wednesday.
In those areas, which are enduring "the most severe snow drought," snowpack at many lower elevations has melted one to four weeks early, per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS).
"Western snowmelt season is well underway," the meteorologists stated.
NOAA and NIDIS define a “snow drought" as a period in which there are abnormally low levels of mountain snow accumulation, or snowpack, which serves as a water reservoir for much of the West during the spring and summer seasons.
Meanwhile, a period of warm weather and dry conditions in mid-April triggered what the meteorologists described as "rapid snowmelt in the Southwest, especially in southern Colorado and New Mexico."
Measurements at about 45 percent of U.S. West stations that monitor snow-water-equivalent — the amount of water contained in snowpack — were lower than the 1991-2020 median as of May 5, according to the NOAA and NIDIS update.
While concluding the snow drought has expanded in parts of the West due to the early and rapid snowmelt, the meteorologists stressed that "conditions are evolving."
"Tracking snow drought during this time period helps to evaluate potential impacts to summer water supply, soil moisture and vegetation conditions," they added.
Date: |
Filter
-
Flores to take part in NFL's accelerator program
Brian Flores will be among the participants in the NFL's fifth accelerator program, an event hosted by the league to strengthen the pipeline of diverse candidates for front office and coaching positions.ESPN - Sports - NFL -
‘Only Hamas can defend us’: Israeli raids and Fatah failures boost support in West Bank
Settler attacks and arrests of Hamas supporters create climate of fear and distrust in ruling Fatah party. Shuffling around his family home in the hills around Ramallah, Khalil was nervous after his release from prison the day before. His mother ...The Guardian - World - Israel -
US lawmakers clash after 'fake eyelashes' comment
The fiery exchange began when Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene criticised Democrat Jasmine Crockett.BBC News - Top stories -
West Virginia candidate in hospital after snake bite as he removed election signs
Republican Doug Skaff said he expects to be in hospital for a few days after bites in left leg and right foot by highway in Danville. A candidate for West Virginia secretary of state said he has been hospitalized for copperhead snake bites ...The Guardian - World -
West Virginia candidate hospitalized after being bitten by snakes while removing campaign signs
A candidate for West Virginia secretary of state is hospitalized for copperhead snake bites sustained while he was removing election campaign signsABC News - Top stories -
West Virginia candidate hospitalized after being bitten by snakes while removing campaign signs
A candidate for West Virginia secretary of state said he has been hospitalized for copperhead snake bites sustained while removing election campaign signs.NBC News - Politics -
Dallas Stars into their 2nd West final in a row after knocking out last two Cup champions
The Dallas Stars finally get a little bit of a breather after avoiding another Game 7 on the way to their second Western Conference Final in a rowABC News - Sports -
Man City wins record fourth straight Premier League title after 3-1 win against West Ham
Manchester City won a record fourth straight Premier League title by beating West Ham 3-1 in the final game of the seasonABC News - Sports - Premier League -
Here's the deflation breakdown for April 2024 — in one chart
Deflation is the opposite of inflation: It's when prices decline. That has largely occurred for goods such as furniture, appliances and cars in the past year.CNBC - Business -
FDA Approves Amgen Drug for Persistently Deadly Form of Lung Cancer
The treatment is for patients with small cell lung cancer, which afflicts about 35,000 people in the U.S. a year.The New York Times - Science - FDA
More from The Hill
-
Schumer tees up round two for bipartisan border bill
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is tee-ing up a second attempt at passing the bipartisan border bill — after Republicans blocked it earlier this year — a move that comes as the situation at the southern border remains top of mind for ...The Hill - Politics -
Democratic group targets Republicans over IVF in Arizona
A Democratic super PAC is targeting Republicans over the issue of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the battleground state of Arizona as Democrats ramp up their attacks on reproductive access ahead of the 2024 election. Progress Action Fund, which ...The Hill - Politics - Republican Party -
Alarmed Democrats flee Biden’s ailing brand in battleground states
Vulnerable Senate Democrats are distancing themselves from President Biden’s ailing brand after polls show him trailing former President Trump in several battleground states. Democrats in tough races are breaking with Biden over border security, ...The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden -
Red state abortion bans headed for clash with blue state shield laws
A clash is looming between anti-abortion red states and the blue state telemedicine shield laws trying to preserve abortion access. More than a dozen states have laws shielding medical providers and others from out-of-state investigations and ...The Hill - Politics - Abortion -
Congress sets stage for ‘side deal’ spending fight with White House
Congress is setting the stage for another partisan government-funding fight, as conservatives look to chip away at a previous “side deal” struck between Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the White House aimed at boosting nondefense dollars. ...The Hill - Politics