How this spring’s snowpack is stacking up
No joke: April 1 readings were decent across many parts of the West, but some areas are still stuck in a snow drought
10 visuals that show how climate change is transforming the West’s snow and water...
The latest National Climate Assessment warns of a shrinking snowpack and serious downstream consequences.
Map: Snow photo galleries
Use this interactive map to browse our expanding collection of free-to-use photos and videos captured by drones, planes and ground-based photographers.
Photos: Snowpack in San Juan Mountains, May 2023
This page in our free multimedia library features aerial photos of the snowpack in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado.
The San Juans are mostly located in southwest Colorado...
Reading list: great snow journalism
If you’re looking for a crash course on snow and the Western snowpack, check out this great reporting, writing, and visual storytelling.
Why atmospheric rivers can be both harmful and helpful
These "rivers in the sky" can cause catastrophic flooding but are also critical for the West's snowpack
What is an atmospheric river? A hydrologist explains the good and bad of these flood-prone storms...
On average, atmospheric rivers have about twice the regular flow of the Amazon River.
Helpful sites for tracking snow and the (subpar) snowpack
There’s no shortage of websites with maps and graphics visualizing snow forecasts and the state of the snowpack.
Staying safe with the Winter Storm Severity Index
This pragmatic tool from federal forecasters illustrates where snow, ice, and wind can be deadly and disruptive.
Scientists use simple cameras to answer complex questions about forests and the snowpack
“Snowtography” captures how the snowpack can vary dramatically across short distances