snowpack

December 2025 State of the Western U.S. Snowpack: Well Below Average and Downright Abysmal in Places

It’s the start of December, and winter is beginning to take shape across the Western U.S., though it’s been slow in some places. By this time of year, many skiers and snowboarders should have had their first days on the mountain; however, many ski areas haven’t had enough snow to open yet. The slow start to the season has December snowpack levels well […]
Post Tag for WeatherWeather
Avatar photo Brent Glogau |
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Early-Season Snowpack Struggles in the West as the East Surges Ahead

western snowpack map

Winter is starting to settle in across North America, but the story of November’s snowpack depends entirely on where you look. In the West, the season is off to a slow and uneven start—with many basins sitting far below normal. Meanwhile, the Northeast is stacking up impressive early-season totals, led by standout performers like Jay Peak and Stowe in Vermont. […]
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Martin Kuprianowicz |
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Engineering Snowfall: How Rainmaker’s Drones Help Shore Up Water Supplies While Maximizing Ski Resort Snow

Rainmaker is a company that increases snowpack by utilizing cloud seeding and operates over the course of the winter to increase snowfall by about 10-20%. This fall, Rainmaker will commence the largest American cloud seeding program in modern history. Its operations in the Bear River Basin, the largest watershed feeding the Great Salt Lake, will increase water supply and support drought resilience in […]
Post Tag for BrainsBrains
Avatar photo Gregg Frantz |
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Snowpack Levels Fall Below Average Across Most of Western U.S., New Data Shows

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 […]
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Martin Kuprianowicz |
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Utah’s Backcountry Dangers: How Recent Heavy Snowfall Has Impacted Avalanche Conditions Because of a Weak Base Layer

Utah is known for its incredible skiing due to the large amounts of snow it receives yearly and the extensive terrain available, primarily in the Wasatch Range. There are many resorts for skiers to enjoy but many turn to the backcountry due to the vast amount of options when it comes to terrain. However, there are dangers associated with the […]
Anders Henrikson |
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Current Westwide Snowpack is 2,500% Normal in Some Regions, 30% in Others

It’s still very early in the season, but this image of the current snowpack across the western states makes for good reading. As winter approaches, the latest snow water equivalent data from November 10 reveals a varied snowpack across the Western United States, with some states experiencing exceptional early-season conditions while others lag behind. Related: These Are the 23 Ski […]
Avatar photo SnowBrains |
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Warmer Winters Threaten U.S. Snowpack and Water Supply, Say 2 Dartmouth Professors

Warmer winters threaten the snowpack in the western U.S. and ice cover in the East which is due to rising temperatures according to scientists. Projections show rising temperatures throughout this century will result in decreased snowfall threatening the water supply and the $67 billion snow sports industry. Snow hovered near record-low depths this season and the Great Lakes had their […]
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David Michael |
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California Reaches 100% Average Statewide Snowpack

California has officially reached 100% of the April 1 average for statewide snow-water equivalent (snowpack). As of March 13, 2024, the Northern Sierra/Trinity and Central Sierra are sitting at 117% and 102%, respectively, for the April 1 average. However, the Southern Sierra is still just below the April 1 average, with 95% total snow water equivalent. While it officially remains an […]
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John Cunningham |
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State of the Western U.S. Snowpack: Season-Saving February for California, Wyoming, Oregon While Utah/CO Thrive and PNW Still Lags Behind

  February was a good month for most of the West. The states with an already near-average snowpack at the start of the month like Utah and Nevada got several big storms that have put them well above average for this time of year, with Colorado also now sitting at a slightly above-average snowpack. But where the February snow really […]
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WeatherBrains |
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SnowBrains Forecast: Northern Rockies Revival | Several Inches of Much Needed Snow

NBM Snowfall Map Through Saturday Night. Source: maps.weatherbell.com Forecast Summary The Northern Rockies will receive a much needed boost to their snowpack over the next couple of days. A deep trough will drop down across much of the western US Sunday/Monday, bringing colder air, at least temporarily, and widespread snowfall. A cold front will first cross Northern Idaho/Northwest Montana Sunday night, […]
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WeatherBrains |
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