How the U.S. Snowpack is Shaping Up as Ski Season Kicks Off in November

It’s early November, and winter is starting to take shape across the Western U.S. With colder temperatures settling in and the first real storms rolling through, it’s a good time to check in on how the snowpack is forming compared to historical averages.

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 can fall behind expectations.

Snowpack is measured in two main ways: total snow depth and snow-water equivalent (SWE). SWE is especially important because it measures how much water is actually stored in the snow, giving a clearer picture of how much runoff might 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.

• Above Average Snowpack: Areas shown in blue are currently above historical averages for Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). The darker blue shades indicate a greater percentage above the historical averages. This is most evident in regions of Washington, Northern Idaho, and Montana.
• Below Average Snowpack: Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming are all showing snowpack conditions that are well below historical averages for this date. The warm-toned and lower percentage values in these states confirm a deficit in early-season snow accumulation.
• Mixed Bag: The remaining areas, particularly in Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, display a mixed bag of conditions, with basins showing both slightly above and below average SWE, or in some cases, reporting very low snowpack values.

Overall, the early-season snowpack paints a mixed picture across the West. Some northern regions are off to a strong start, while much of the central and southern Rockies are still waiting for winter to hit its stride. With plenty of time left before the heart of the season, a few well-timed storms could quickly change the outlook. For now, the next few weeks will be key in setting the tone for how this winter unfolds across the mountains.