Western US faces historic snow drought in 2026

The Western United States is experiencing an unprecedented snow drought in 2026, with many regions receiving significantly less snowfall than historical averages. Warmer temperatures have caused precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow, and existing snowpack is melting prematurely. This severe lack of snowpack, which acts as a natural water reservoir, is raising serious concerns among water managers and fire officials about critically low water supplies for the upcoming summer. Several key river basins, including those feeding the Colorado, Columbia, and Missouri rivers, are far below normal levels, potentially impacting agriculture and communities.