Weather
The latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reveals a below-average snowpack across much of the western United States, raising concerns for water supply, wildfire risk, and drought conditions heading into summer. According to the NRCS Westwide SNOTEL report for April 28, 2025, snow water equivalent (SWE) levels—a key indicator of the amount of water held in snow—are well below the historical median (1991–2020) across many watersheds. The data map shows several basins reporting SWE values between 50% and 89% of average, with some dipping below 50% of the seasonal median.
Parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona are especially low, while a few areas in Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming show near-average or slightly above-average values in many parts of the states. However, these outliers are not enough to offset broader regional deficits. Snowpack serves as a crucial natural reservoir, slowly releasing water into rivers and reservoirs throughout the spring and summer. Below-average SWE levels can impact agricultural irrigation, municipal water supplies, and ecosystem health. It can also shorten ski seasons and increase wildfire risk due to dry vegetation.
The current snowpack shortfall follows a pattern of increasingly volatile winters, where strong early-season storms are sometimes followed by prolonged warm, dry periods. Water managers across the West are closely monitoring the situation as runoff forecasts are revised and reservoir levels are reassessed.
The map released by NRCS was created on April 29 and visualizes the data as of the end of the day April 28. The map is color-coded to indicate SWE levels relative to the 30-year median, providing a clear snapshot of conditions basin by basin.
For detailed watershed information and updates, visit USDA’s Westwide SNOTEL interactive map.
