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West's Snow Drought: Ski Season Off to Slow Start
2 Dec
Summary
- Western U.S. snowpack was significantly below normal by early December 2025.
- Climate change is causing decreased snowfall and earlier melt in the West.
- Reduced snowpack threatens water supplies for agriculture and hydropower.
As of early December 2025, the western United States is experiencing an unusually slow start to its ski season, with snowpack levels far below average. This delayed onset is attributed by experts to the broader impacts of climate change on regional weather patterns. Rising global temperatures are directly influencing snowfall amounts and the timing of snowmelt across the West.
The consequences of this reduced snowpack extend beyond recreational skiing. For regions like California, which rely on mountain snow for a significant portion of their annual water supply, this presents a serious challenge. Earlier snowmelt and increased rain-on-snow events complicate water management, forcing difficult decisions about reservoir storage and flood control.
Furthermore, diminished snowpack contributes to drier soils and prolonged dry periods during summer, exacerbating wildfire risks across the western U.S. The long-term trend suggests an increasing frequency of low-snow years, underscoring the need to address greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate future impacts on water resources and ecosystems.
