Western U.S. Snow Drought Deepens, Threatening Water Supplies and 2034 Olympics
Updated (3 articles)
Record Warm Temperatures Extend Across the West A persistent high‑pressure ridge has blocked cold air and storms, leaving the Sierra Nevada and much of the interior with near‑record low snowpack while only occasional atmospheric‑river events have delivered measurable snow [1]. Arizona experienced its hottest December on record in Phoenix and Tucson, highlighting the breadth of the warm anomaly [1]. Meteorologists warn that without a shift to a colder, stormier pattern, snow accumulation will remain well below average through March [1].
Snowpack Deficiency Impacts Tourism and Local Economies In Utah, backcountry snowmobiling operators report widespread tour cancellations and significant revenue losses, labeling the season among the worst in recent memory [1]. Thin snow cover has already crippled winter tourism, a key economic driver for mountain communities [1]. Business owners stress that continued deficits could erode livelihoods throughout the region [1].
Water Supply Risks Amplify for Colorado River Basin Experts link the poor snowpack to reduced spring runoff, jeopardizing dry‑season water supplies across the West [1]. The Colorado River Basin faces heightened risk as rising demand meets hotter, drier conditions, compounding long‑term water‑security challenges [1]. A related groundwater study underscores the vulnerability of the basin’s water resources under continued drought [1].
Future Events Face Uncertainty Without Weather Shift Utah officials warn that weak snowpacks could become common, complicating preparations for the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City [1]. The city recorded one of its latest measurable snowfalls in December, underscoring the fragility of winter‑hosted events [1]. Scientists stress that only a sustained period of cold, stormy weather could restore snowpack to average levels, a scenario not currently forecasted [1].
Timeline
Nov 2025 – The West records its warmest Novembers on file in Oregon, Idaho and western Colorado, with temperatures 6‑8.5 °F above average and the Upper Deschutes Basin showing the slowest snow accumulation since 1981, a clear sign that rain is replacing snow and drought risk is rising [2][3].
Dec 2025 – Lake Tahoe ski resorts run only a small fraction of lifts and report snow depths far below average, illustrating the broader West‑wide snowpack deficit that threatens water storage and winter recreation [2][3].
Dec 2025 – The Midway Ice Castles in Utah are indefinitely postponed as temperatures 7‑10 °F above normal persist in the area slated for the 2034 Winter Olympics, showing the immediate tourism impact of the snow drought [2][3].
Dec 2025 – Torrential rain in the Northwest washes out roads and bridges, floods homes and delays access to Washington ski areas despite late‑season mountain snow, compounding the region’s winter‑sport disruptions [2][3].
Dec 2025 – Northeastern resorts such as Killington, Pico and Cannon open unusually early and expand trail counts, contrasting the West’s deficit and underscoring a regional divergence in temperature trends [2][3].
Jan 9, 2026 – Utah backcountry snowmobiling operator Brad Riesenberg says customers cancel tours and his revenue plummets, calling the season “one of the worst winters” he has experienced, a direct economic symptom of the western snow drought [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Arizona climatologist Erinanne Saffell notes Phoenix and Tucson record their hottest December on record, warning that without a pattern shift the critical Jan‑Mar window for mountain snow buildup will stay compromised [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – A persistent high‑pressure ridge keeps cold air and storms away, producing unusually warm conditions in places like Fort Collins where December feels like March, and sustaining the snowpack deficit across the West [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Experts warn the deficient snowpack jeopardizes spring runoff and Colorado River water supplies, amplifying long‑term demand pressures amid hotter, drier conditions and raising the risk of basin‑wide water shortages [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Salt Lake City officials acknowledge that recurring weak snowpacks could complicate preparations for the 2034 Winter Olympics, as the city records one of its latest measurable snowfalls on record in December, emphasizing the need for climate‑resilient planning [1].
Jan 9, 2026 – Meteorologists state that only a sustained period of cold, stormy weather could restore snowpack to average by March, but current forecasts show no such shift, leaving the drought outlook uncertain and prompting calls for adaptation strategies [1].