Drought Covers 70% of U.S. West After Winter Snowpack Falls to 10% of Normal
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 25
Drought Covers 70% of U.S. West After Winter Snowpack Falls to 10% of Normal
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 25
70% of the West is now in drought, pushing cities to curb water use and farmers to abandon fields after one of the region’s hottest, driest winters on record.
Snowpack maps show some mountain river basins at just 10% of normal levels—or none at all—threatening summer water supplies across the Desert and Mountain West.
In Colorado, fruit grower Erik Fritchman is uprooting young apple and peach trees for lack of water, while Kearny, Arizona, says it could run out by July without drastic conservation.
The shortages are intensifying pressure on Western states and the Trump administration to prevent deeper breakdown along the shrinking Colorado River, as experts warn hotter, drier years are ahead.
With cities facing a future without water, is the American West's era of growth coming to an end?
As a century-old water pact collapses, who will win the legal war for the West's most vital resource?
To save its cities, must the American West sacrifice the farms that help feed the nation?
The 2026 Western Drought: Historic Water Scarcity, Energy Impacts, and the Race for Solutions
Overview
In 2026, the Western United States faces an unprecedented drought, with experts warning of its seriousness and the likelihood of continued dry conditions in the future. While some mountain regions saw early precipitation, much of the Western Plains and key agricultural areas like eastern Colorado received below-average rainfall, worsening the crisis for farmers. This drought is not a one-time event but part of a recurring pattern, highlighting the urgent need for action. The situation underscores the region’s vulnerability to ongoing water shortages and the importance of preparing for similar challenges ahead.