March 2026 State of the Western U.S. Snowpack: Showing Slight Improvement But Still Below Average - SnowBrains

"Snowpack is measured in two main ways: total snow depth and snow-water equivalent (SWE). SWE is especially important because it quantifies the water actually stored in the snow, providing a clearer picture of how much runoff may be available in spring. For instance, 10 feet of dense snow can hold as much water as 20 feet of lighter snow."

"Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico: These states remain heavily "in the red," with nearly every basin reporting less than 50% of the median Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). Utah has seen a notable shift. While some southern basins remain low, the central and northern basins have all moved over 50%."

"While the season has trended dry so far, winter is not over yet. In many parts of the West, March and even April can deliver powerful storms that quickly boost snow totals and improve conditions. A few well-timed systems can go a long way toward rebuilding the snowpack and easing concerns about water supply and summer drought."

Snowpack develops through seasonal storms that compact and strengthen when conditions remain cold and frequent. Snow-water equivalent (SWE) measures the actual water stored in snow, providing critical information about spring runoff potential. Current U.S. snowpack shows slight improvement from last month but remains below the 30-year median. Regional variations are significant: Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico report less than 50% of median SWE, while Utah's central and northern basins have recovered above 50%. Eastern Sierra and Western Wyoming represent the strongest areas, with some basins reaching 80-101% of average. Late-season storms in March and April could substantially improve conditions and water supply outlook.

Read at SnowBrains