The exceptionally warm and dry winter that affected the western US is likely to lead to summer conditions that could be disastrous in the extent of fire and drought that may be experienced. Grist magazine describes the devastating lack of snow cover this year, which usually provides 60-70 percent of the Northwest’s water supply and provides crucial water to the Colorado River, which supplies seven states in the region. Temperatures have already reached into the 100’s in Arizona and nearby locations. The precipitation amounts have been fairly close to normal, but since it is falling as rain instead of as snow it just runs down the rivers and does not remain as snowpack to provide water later in the summer. You can read more about how this is affecting residents and farmers at https://grist.org/climate/the-wests-unprecedented-winter-could-fuel-a-summer-of-disaster/.
