Snowfall Trends

As of March 30, 2026, the western U.S. is experiencing a historic snow drought, with snow water equivalent at its lowest record for April 1 and 65% below the 1991-2020 normal. This condition is attributed to a record-warm winter and a record-shattering March heat wave fueled by heat-trapping pollution. Long-term trends from 1955 to 2023 show an 18% average decline in April 1 snowpack across 652 monitoring stations, with snow droughts growing 28% longer between 1980 and 2018. These trends increase risks for water supplies, hydropower, and wildfires, with projections suggesting a further 25% decline in snow water equivalent by 2050.

• As of March 30, 2026, the snow water equivalent for the western U.S. reached its lowest record for April 1, measuring 65% below the 1991-2020 normal.
• Record-low snow water equivalents were observed as of March 30, 2026, in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming, while California experienced near-record low levels.
• Long-term data from 1955 to 2023 indicates that April 1 snowpack across the western U.S. declined by an average of 18% across 652 monitoring stations.
• The western U.S. is identified as a global hot spot for snow drought, with region-wide snow droughts increasing in length by 28% between 1980 and 2018.
• Future projections indicate a further 25% decline in snow water equivalent across the western U.S. by 2050.

APA

Climate Central (2026). Snowfall Trends. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/western-snowpack-drought-2026

Chicago

Climate Central. Snowfall Trends. 2026. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/western-snowpack-drought-2026.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Snowfall Trends |date=1 April 2026 |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/western-snowpack-drought-2026 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2026snowfall, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Snowfall Trends}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/western-snowpack-drought-2026}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }