A record-breaking drought across the western U.S. is alarming scientists.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico are facing level 3 extreme drought. In all, 60% of the West currently is grappling with drought conditions.
Reservoirs are reaching record lows. Mountain snowpacks melted for water supply are depleted thanks to early spring warmups. California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued emergency drought declarations for several counties, though so far there are no consumption regulations for personal use.
A key reservoir in Colorado has dried up leaving the region concerned about its future water supply. Along the Nevada-Arizona border, Lake Mead hit historic lows and is projected to continue drying up. Millions of people in the western United States rely on the Colorado River, but its water level is also receding.
Intense drought is not new in the West. These states have weathered more than their fair shares. But these conditions are the worst recorded in the last 20 years, with no sign of it letting up. Last year was the third driest on record when measuring precipitation.
“There’s a 100 percent chance that it gets worse before it gets better,” said Dr. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA who spoke with the New York Times. “We have the whole long, dry summer to get through.”
Related
Dry conditions become doubly concerning during wildfire season, especially amid record-high dry vegetation growth. Hotter temperatures make them more intense. Decades ago, fire season -- like hurricane season -- only lasted several months. Now, it has become a year-round event.
Massive forest fires across California, Oregon, and Washington last year accounted for the worst fire season in modern history. This year, blazes in Arizona have New Mexico breathing in smoke. Fire officials worry it could be the prelude to another devastating season prompting restrictions on campfires and fireworks ahead of July 4th.
Not everything is predictable. Lightning strikes and transformer explosions have ignited fires in the past. “But of the predictable elements — how dry is the soil? And will it get better in the next months? — those are as bad as it can be,” Dr. Swain told the NYT.
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