'On a whole other level': rapid snow melt-off in American west stuns scientists [View all]

Source: the guardian



Experts say brutal March heat has left critical snowpack at record-low levels – and key basins in uncharted territory

Gabrielle Canon Wed 1 Apr 2026 09.00 EDT


Snow surveys taking place across the American west this week are offering a grim prognosis, after a historically warm winter and searing March temperatures left the critical snowpack at record-low levels across the region.

Experts warned that even as the heat begins to subside, the stunning pace of melt-off over the past month has left key basins in uncharted territory for the dry seasons ahead. Though there’s still potential for more snow in the forecast, experts said it will probably be too little too late.

“This year is on a whole other level,” said Dr Russ Schumacher, a Colorado State University climatologist, speaking about the intense heat that began rapidly melting the already sparse snowpack in March. “Seeing this year so far below any of the other years we have data for is very concerning.”

Acting as a water savings account of sorts, snowpacks are essential to water supply. Measurements taken across the west during the week of 1 April are viewed as important indicators of the peak amounts of water that might melt into reservoirs, rivers and streams and across thirsty landscapes through the summer........................



Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/01/snowmelt-american-west?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

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‘On a whole other level’: rapid snow melt-off in American west stuns scientists

Experts say brutal March heat has left critical snowpack at record-low levels – and key basins in uncharted territory

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2026-04-02T00:27:18.376Z

Nasa satellite images show how the snowpack in Utah has diminished between late February and late March. Illustration: Guardian Design/Nasa Worldview