Rain and snow are expected to return to the Rockies and the Western U.S. over the next few weeks, but it’s likely to only make a small dent in the snow drought and dry conditions across parts of the West.
Roughly 20% of the U.S. is currently dealing with severe, extreme, or exceptional drought conditions, compared to 17.6% at this time last year. Warmer and drier conditions in the region late this winter could increase wildfire risk sooner than many people expect, a new report from AccuWeather shows.
Related: Rising Fire Risk Prompts Utilities to Deliberately Cut Power
Long-range forecasters at AccuWeather say the harshest cold of winter is behind us, but the rest of the season will likely bring various weather threats, including ice jams, flooding, severe storms, and an increased risk of wildfires.
“The return of storms to the West Coast and Rockies is welcome news after significant water deficits, but it won’t completely erase long-term drought concerns,” stated Paul Pastelok, a lead long-range expert. “Warmer and drier conditions in the Southwest late this winter could increase wildfire risk sooner than many people expect.”
Related: Massive Wildfire Liabilities Push Utilities to Use AI to Stop Blazes
Snow cover across the contiguous U.S. stands at 30%. Snowpack at New England resorts is currently near 130% of historical averages, while many California resorts are roughly 40% below historical averages.
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