![]() But the rapidly accelerating effects of climate change mean the current window from 1991 to 2020 sticks out from previous 30-year periods because it includes the hottest-ever period in America's recorded history.īecause of that, snowpack data tells a somewhat deceptive story. In spring 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shifted how it calculates averages for all of its data.Įvery 10 years, NOAA moves the three-decade window that it uses for averages. The ground has become parched and soaks up snowmelt before the water has a chance to reach the places where people divert and collect it.Īlready, Udall said, winters with 90% of average snowpack have led to only 50% spring runoff because thirsty soil acts like a sponge.Įven the concept of "average" has changed due to warming temperatures. In recent years, scientists have sounded the alarm about soils drying out. Warming has driven a raft of worrying environmental changes across the region. Those higher temperatures have already caused a 15% drop in streamflows across the region. Since 1970, temperatures in the Colorado River Basin have gone up by three degrees Fahrenheit. And that is extremely unlikely." The long viewĪ string of wet years is unlikely because of rising temperatures driven by climate change, Udall said. "We would need five or six years at 150% snowpack to refill these reservoirs. "It's great to see a big snowpack," Udall said. Even if those numbers persist until spring, the severity of the Colorado River's drought means many more years of heavy snow are needed to make a serious dent in the low water levels. In other nearby mountain ranges, snow totals are between 140% and 160% above average. This year, snowfall totals are well above average, but climate scientists say the winter is far from over and conditions could change bringing less precipitation. In fact, more than two-thirds of the river begins as snow in Colorado. Before water flows through rivers, pipelines and canals to cities and farms across the region, it starts as high-altitude snow. Snow piled high in the Rockies is crucial for the Colorado River - a water lifeline for people from Wyoming to Mexico in an area commonly referred to as the Colorado River Basin. Climate scientists, though, say the 40 million people who use the river's water should take the good news with a grain of salt. That's good news for the Colorado River, where that moisture hints at a possible springtime boost for massive reservoirs that have been crippled by drought. Heavy rains have pummeled California, and the Rocky Mountains are getting buried with snow. This winter, the West has been slammed by wet weather. This winter has already delivered snow totals above 130% of average, but climate scientists say it will take more than one wet winter to pull the arid West out of a 23-year drought. Travelers in Aspen should call their airlines and check for updates.Skiers cruise down the slopes at Snowmass ski area in Colorado. Most airlines are canceling flights in and out of Denver International Airport this weekend and waiving change fees. The Aspen High girls swim team will wait until next week to travel to the Class 3A girls swimming state championship, which was moved to Monday in the northern Denver suburb of Thornton. ![]() “I encourage you to be in a relatively safe location from shortly after sunrise Saturday through Sunday afternoon if it’s snowing in your area,” the governor said Thursday.Ī number of Front Range events are being canceled or postponed this weekend. Jared Polis said he is making available about 50 members of the Colorado National Guard to help with search and rescues as needed. ![]() In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Gov. The NWS Boulder office said Thursday that 15 to 25 inches of snow is expected across the Denver area with “up to 30 inches in Boulder and Fort Collins (and) 2 to 4 feet of snow in the foothills.”
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