February 2026 State of the Western U.S. Snowpack: Trending in the Wrong Direction

Across much of the U.S., this winter has struggled to build a consistent snowpack, with February levels tracking well below what is typical for this point in the season. A pattern of weaker storms and inconsistent cold has limited both snowfall totals and the long-term base needed to support a strong spring snowpack.

• Related: Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR, to Suspend Ski and Ride Operations Due to Warm Temperatures and Lack of Snow

The snowpack builds gradually through the season as layers from each storm settle and compact. When storms are frequent and temperatures stay cold, the snowpack deepens and strengthens. But if the weather turns warm or dry, it may fall short of expectations.

Snowpack is measured in two main ways: total snow depth and snow-water equivalent (SWE). SWE is especially important because it quantifies the water actually stored in the snow, providing a clearer picture of how much runoff may be available in spring. For instance, 10 feet of dense snow can hold as much water as 20 feet of lighter snow.

Let’s take a look at the current SWE across the U.S. to see how this early-season snowpack stacks up against the 30-year median.

Overall, the snowpack as a percent of average has gotten worse since last month. 

Regional Snowpack Breakdown

• Critical Deficits: Nearly all of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico are in red, indicating snow water levels are less than 50% of the historical median.

• Widespread Underperformance: Large swaths of Washington, Utah, and Colorado are either red or orange, signaling that these regions are also well below average, mostly ranging between 25% and 69% of normal levels.

• Isolated Pockets of Normalcy: The only areas of green—representing near-normal levels (90% to 109%)—are in Wyoming, northern Montana, and a small area in the eastern Sierra in California.

• The “Red Zone” Core: A massive, contiguous block of red (<50%) stretches from the Pacific Northwest through the Great Basin and down into the Desert Southwest, suggesting a broad-scale winter drought for these watersheds.

With much of the West sitting well below average heading into the back half of winter, the next several weeks will be critical for determining how the season ultimately finishes. A shift toward a more active storm pattern could still improve conditions, but without sustained snowfall and consistent cold, many basins may enter spring with significant water deficits. For now, the widespread red zones on the map serve as a clear reminder of how much ground still needs to be made up before runoff season begins.