Question for the DU experts

[malaise]

If there is little or no snow this year, does that mean there will be a serious drought across the USA.

reword

[malaise]

2. Hadn't even thought of that aspect of the warm weather

Thanks

sp

[onenote]

6. From what I've read, its too early to determine whether the wheat

crop will be harmed. But there is definitely reason for concern.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/225619/group/homepage/

[onenote]

3. I'm no expert

but wouldn't the issue be whether an area is getting any precipitation not just snow? If areas that normally get snow are getting rain instead because of warmer temperatures, would that still suggest we'll see drought conditions in spring/summer/fall? I don't know, but I do know that there are plenty of areas of the country that don't ever get snow and don't suffer from droughts because of it.

[malaise]

5. I thought about that but doesn't melting snow take longer to fill the waterways and rivers

in spring

[jody]

4. "drought" usually means rainfall. Absent snow rivers, lakes, reservoirs will be low affecting all

who use that water.

[malaise]

7. That's what I really want to know - how are all the waterways affected

if there is no melting snow in spring

[jody]

13. CA is extremely sensitive to water supply for agricultural, industrial, and home consumption.

Suggest browsing CALIFORNIA WATERSHED PROGRAM along with other suggestions.

[DCKit]

8. Without snowpack in the Sierras and Rockies...

It's going to suck all over the west.

[The Straight Story]

9. article from CA on it's impact:

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/dec/28/low-snow-totals-could-translate-into-less-water/

Mammoth Mountain, which had 209 inches of snow in December 2010, has had 2 inches this winter. The snow pack that reservoirs rely on is about a quarter of normal for this time of year. And the next few weeks aren't looking a whole lot better.
...

Eric Bergh, resources manager with the Calleguas Municipal Water District, is keeping an eye on the snow for different reasons. Calleguas, which supplies water to more than 600,000 people in Ventura County, gets water from the State Water Project, which relies on the snow pack for runoff.

The snow pack currently is about 27 percent of its normal seasonal level.

Although the last two banner snow years were a welcome relief from a drought that socked the state for three years, Bergh said another prolonged dry spell is always around the corner.

[malaise]

11. Thanks

Let's hope the snow shows up and soon

[wandy]

10. Here at the foot hills of the rockeys, here in god forsaken Colorado, snow melt is very inportant

spring through summer. Bolder area is basicly a 'high desert' and it is the snow melt that keeps fields and lawns green.

[hlthe2b]

15. "God Forsaken?"

Really? That's what you think of our state?

[hlthe2b]

12. Snow pack determines water table levels for much of the west...

So, for much of the US, that answer could be yes.

Here, for instance is the data base for the Upper Colorado River Snowpack which to date is 61% of January average. There is certainly time to bring it up towards normal (and lots of late winter, early spring snow has been common the past several years), but for those dependent on the Colorado River downstream, this is concerning.
http://snowpack.water-data.com/uppercolorado/index.php

[malaise]

14. Thanks

Could be serious