snowpack

The monthly National Interagency Fire Center outlooks are typically staid documents, providing just-the-facts analysis. But the latest is superlative-laden as it describes record-low snowpacks, record-early snow melt and record-high temperatures.

Arizona's water supply could face major cutbacks on the heels of an exceptionally hot, dry winter in the Rocky Mountains.

Cody Moser with the federal Colorado Basin River Forecast Center said in a monthly briefing Tuesday that just 1.4 million acre feet of Colorado River water is expected to reach Lake Powell through July. That's less than a quarter of what's considered normal.

State and federal land managers have implemented fire restrictions across the state after a mild winter and record breaking March temperatures.

Estevan López, New Mexico's water negotiator, said talks resumed March 2, and the upper and lower basin states are using a short-term pitch from Nevada as a starting point.

The majority of the state is either abnormally dry, or in moderate or severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Snowpack is often described as the West’s largest natural reservoir, storing water through the winter and slowly releasing it into rivers and reservoirs each spring. But new research suggests the way forests are managed can influence how much of that snow actually becomes part of the water supply.

And that has a broad impact—from tourism to drought to allergies

In its latest quarterly earnings report, Vail Resorts said North America skier visits were down roughly 12% through the beginning of March compared to last year, and revenue fell about 5% for the quarter.

Colorado's state climatologist said long-range forecasts are also not signaling a 'Miracle March.'