›A record-breaking snow drought is affecting most of the American West, with snow cover and depth at the lowest levels in decades. Scientists say the problem is not due to dry conditions, but rather unprecedented warmth that has turned much of the winter precipitation into rain instead of snow. Much of the precipitation that would normally fall as snow is instead falling as rain, which runs off more quickly. Russ Schumacher Professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University and Colorado State Climatologist. This pattern that we're in is so darned persistent.” — Mark Serreze, Director, National Snow and Ice Data Center (latimes.com) “Right now there's no snow on the ground.

Source: Los Angeles Times February 11, 2026 23:26 UTC