homeWelcome, sign in or click here to subscribe.login
     


 

 

Environment


Subscriber content preview

February 11, 2026

Record snow drought in Western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires

  • The snow cover is about one-third of normal and snow depth in places like Oregon are far below the old record.
    • By DORANY PINEDA and SETH BORENSTEIN
    Associated Press

    A record snow drought with unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable to wildfires and hurting winter tourism and recreation.

    Scientists say snow cover and snow depth are both at the lowest levels they've seen in decades, while at least 67 Western weather stations have measured their warmest December through early February on record. Normal snow cover this time of year should be about 460,000 square miles — about the size of California, Utah, Idaho and Montana — but this year it's only California-sized, about 155,000 square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.


     
    . . .


    To read this story in full login or purchase a subscription.



    
    Email or user name:
    Password:
     
    Forgot password? Click here.