Extensive heat in the west of the US causes the snow package to melt at a record pace, risk a lack of water and early start of the fire period.
The parts of the region exceeding the west coast to the lower mountain west have less than half of the normal amount of snow typical of this year, the US National Integrated Drought Information System said in its statement. Some have nothing. Only parts of the southern oregon and in several places in northern California adhere to above -average snow packaging.
Snowpack is vital to the region that has been struggling with drought for more than 20 years, so states are trying to maintain water supplies and contribute to fires. The lack of spring drain also exhausts the hydroelectric capacity, the key source of energy for the West.
Although most areas received almost-abov-normal snow in winter, the rapid melt caused most of it to change from solid to steam that robbed the rivers, streams, and the drain tank needed to replenish the water supplies.
“Snow Melt at this time of year is common, but such a quick melt level is not normal,” the agency said. “Some stations in Nevada, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico saw a record of timely melting.”
Unlike the East, the Western US get most of their water during the winter months and depends on the snowpack high in the mountains, which slowly melt through spring and early summer to fill the tanks and rivers. Water is then used for drinking and agriculture during the summer and autumn.
Arizona and New Mexico are often rescued by the summer monsoon season, which starts at the end of June and July. Prognostics expected almost normal precipitation for these states.
The prognosis up to 25 to 29. May requires continuing high temperatures, the US climate prediction center said. According to the American drought monitor, more than half of the soil in 11 Western states is in drought.
This article was generated from an automated news agency without text modifications.
(Tagstotranslate) heat over American west
