January 2026 State of the Western U.S. Snowpack: Still Well Below Average with Some Bright Spots and Hope

Happy New Year. Winter is beginning to take shape across the Western U.S., although it’s still slow in some places, leaving some unhappy. Last month, the snowpack was so abysmal that many skiers and snowboarders still hadn’t had their first days on the mountain.

The continued slow start to the season has January snowpack levels well below typical depths for this time of year. Storms have been fewer and weaker than usual, and the cold snaps needed to build and preserve a base have been hit-and-miss.

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.

Much of the Southwest and Pacific Northwest remains in a “snow drought,” with snow water equivalent (SWE) levels well below the 1991–2020 median. Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico are particularly hard-hit, with vast areas shaded in red indicating less than 50% of the normal snowpack for this time of year. Arizona and New Mexico show especially concerning figures, while Colorado also remains largely below average, with many basins hovering between 40% and 70%.

In contrast, the northern Rockies provide a much-needed bright spot. Idaho has successfully moved into the green, with most of the state exceeding 90% of the median. Wyoming is showing even more strength, with northern basins entering the light blue category (119%), which is excellent news for the ski season at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Additionally, a small but significant pocket of dark blue (188%) in the Sierra highlights exceptional snow concentration around Mammoth Mountain, promising a strong base for the rest of the winter in that region.

While the early season has tested patience across much of the West, winter is far from written off. Snowpack can change quickly, and a few well-timed storms can dramatically reshape the outlook within weeks. The strength showing up in parts of the northern Rockies and the Sierra is a reminder of how localized and volatile winter patterns can be. As January unfolds, all eyes will be on the forecast, watching to see whether the storm track finally delivers the sustained cold and snowfall needed to close the gap and put more of the West back on track for a solid winter.