"The Central and Southern Great Basin, which includes the Sierra Nevada's eastern slopes, carries the highest probability of below-normal precipitation in the entire country, exceeding 60%. Combined with above-normal temperatures forecast across California and the broader Southwest, the Sierra is staring down a tough April."
"Snowpack heading into the month was already reported as way below normal, less than 50% of average across much of northern California and Oregon. Once that thin snowpack melts under above-normal temperatures, bare ground heats up quickly, further accelerating the drying cycle."
"The atmosphere is still behaving like La Niña even as ocean temperatures shift, which means the damage to the western mountains is largely done, and warmer-than-normal temperatures are poised to accelerate melting."
The April 2026 forecast predicts warm temperatures and below-normal precipitation across the Sierra Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, where snowpack is already low. The Northwest shows mixed conditions, while the Northeast has equal chances of normal temperature and precipitation, with a potential cold snap. The fading La Niña is influencing these patterns, particularly in the West, where the Sierra Nevada faces the highest probability of below-normal precipitation. This situation may lead to early closures of ski resorts due to accelerated snowmelt.
Read at SnowBrains
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