The US is experiencing the worst springtime drought on record
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-content/sotc/drought/psi/psi-202603.png
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/cirs/climdiv/climdiv-pdsidv-v1.0.0-20240606
Conditions have worsened during April
Contiguous U.S. | U.S. Drought Monitor
Temperatures at Imperial, Nebraska have averaged 10F above the post 1895 average, and have been far above normal almost every day.
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/ghcn/daily/all/USC00254110.dly
Snowpack in the west is at an historic low.
Wolf Creek Pass is frequently the snowiest place in Colorado, and snowpack peaks there normally during April. In 1980 I skied there in July, but this year there is no snow.
Streamflow in much of the US is at a record low.
USGS | National Water Dashboard
At the current rate of decline, Lake Powell would be empty in a little over three years. This can’t actually happen, but is an interesting reference point.
Water is being withdrawn from Lake Powell about 1.5 times faster that it is being replenished.
https://lakepowell.water-data.com/
Lake Powell has lost nine feet of water since the end of January.
Wahweap Main Launch Ramp Webcam (U.S. National Park Service)
But there is about to be a change in the weather, with lots of rain forecast in some of the drought areas.
This may be due to the rapid increase in Nino 3.4 sea surface temperatures as El Nino forms.
Lake Powell filled up during the 1983 El Nino, and made a significant recovery during the 2023 El Nino
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/detrend.nino34.ascii.txt
