Hazard Assessments

Download the report here.

Purpose of the report: This rapid assessment of snow drought in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming provides information about the magnitude of extreme low snow water equivalent (SWE) conditions in early 2026, the event’s historical context, likely causes of the snow drought and early impacts from record low regional SWE.

Key Findings:

• The 2026 water year was the worst winter on record for snow accumulation with record low (since 1980) April 1 SWE in Colorado (22% of average), Utah (19% of average), Wyoming (50% of average) and UCRB (23% of average).
• Record warm October-March temperatures caused frequent rain events below 8,000 feet and record warm March temperatures caused snowpack to peak one month early and rapidly melt.
• Statewide water year precipitation was below average in Colorado (74% of median) and Utah (88%) but near average in Wyoming (96%).
• Manual snow collection data available since 1931 reveals 2026 as the year of lowest April 1 SWE but 1934 and 1977 also experienced significant snow drought.
• Streamflow volume forecasts for May 1 range from 10-60% of average in the UCRB and Utah portion of the Great Basin, with record low streamflow volumes forecasted for the Colorado and Yampa Rivers.
• Relatively cooler April temperatures and additional snowfall slowed snowmelt during April and an early May storm brought regional SWE conditions out of record low conditions.
• Early impacts of snow drought include emergency actions by the Bureau of Reclamation to keep Lake Powell from declining to critically low storage, activation of drought plans in by Denver Water and Salt Lake City, reductions to irrigation season length in Utah, an order to stop diversions by junior water rights holders on the North Platte River, and reduced revenue for ski areas due to lower visitation.