Record Snow Drought Hits Western US, Raising Concerns

Lack of snowpack threatens water supplies, increases wildfire risk, and hurts winter tourism

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires, and hurting winter tourism and recreation. Scientists say snow cover and snow depth are at the lowest levels in decades, while at least 67 Western weather stations have measured their warmest December through early February on record.

Why it matters

The meager snowpack means less water will replenish rivers like the Colorado later in the season, impacting agriculture, cities, hydropower, and more. The snow drought could also kick-start an early wildfire season as the lack of snow leaves the ground exposed to warmer weather earlier in the spring and summer, drying out soils and vegetation.

The details

Oregon, Colorado, and Utah have reported their lowest statewide snowpack since the early 1980s. A dry January has meant most states have received half their average precipitation or even less. The lack of snow is mostly due to record-warm temperatures in the West, which is connected to climate change from the burning of fossil fuels. Much of the precipitation that would normally fall as snow is instead falling as rain, which runs off quicker.

  • Since December 1, there have been more than 8,500 daily high temperature records broken or tied in the West.
  • As of Monday, it had been 327 days since Salt Lake City International Airport got 1 inch of snow, making it the longest stretch since 1890-91.

The players

Mark Serreze

Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, who has been in Colorado almost 40 years.

Jason Gerlich

Regional drought early warning system coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Daniel Swain

Researcher at the University of California's Water Resources Institute.

Daniel McEvoy

Researcher with the Western Regional Climate Center.

Russ Schumacher

Professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University and Colorado State Climatologist.

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What they’re saying

“I have not seen a winter like this before. This pattern that we're in is so darned persistent.”

— Mark Serreze, Director, National Snow and Ice Data Center (renewableenergyworld.com)

“Right now there's no snow on the ground. I'd definitely rather have icy roads and snow than whatever is going on out here right now.”

— Trevor Stephens (renewableenergyworld.com)

“This is a pretty big problem for the Colorado basin.”

— Daniel Swain, Researcher, University of California's Water Resources Institute (renewableenergyworld.com)

What’s next

Meteorologists expect wetter, cooler weather across the West this week with some snow, which may help alleviate the snow drought, but it's unlikely to bring conditions back to average.

The takeaway

The record-low snowpack and unprecedented warmth in the West are clear signs of the impacts of climate change, threatening water supplies, increasing wildfire risk, and disrupting winter tourism and recreation. Addressing the root causes of climate change by transitioning to renewable energy sources will be crucial to mitigating these types of extreme weather events in the future.