In Numbers: A Wild Western Winter

news image
Top Stories
25 Mar 2019 3:48 PM
We've detailed at length how incredibly active the 2018-19 winter has been for the West Coast. Here's a few numbers to show you just how crazy it's been. In some of Utah, California and Colorado's ski resorts, a full season's snow has already been observed, with several weeks still to go in the winter snow season. San Francisco, California has seen five inches more rain than usual so far this year, helping the Golden State finally wipe away its historic, multi-year drought. California snowpack, meanwhile, is running at an incredible 154 percent of season-to-date levels. California's snowpack is a vital source of drinking water and helps stave off wildfires. Colorado, meanwhile, is also enjoying a boom snow season. Buoyed by some parts of southern Colorado running at 150 percent or more of average, the Centennial State is enjoying a terrific winter filled with plenty of snow. This is particularly important for the Colorado River, which starts in the state of its namesake and provides drinking water for California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada.     Another active week across the West will likely further boost these numbers, particularly in California. For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Chris Bianchi
All Weather News
More
Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow qui

17 Oct 2026 2:05 AM
Tropics: Pacific Staying Active, Atlantic Staying Quiet

Tropics: Pacific Staying Active, Atlantic Staying Quiet

Isaias ended the late-season streak of no hur

17 Oct 2026 1:55 AM
Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Risk Diminishing Saturday Morning for the Northeast

Severe Storm PotentialSevere risk is decreasi

17 Oct 2026 1:20 AM
Flooding & Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains

Flooding & Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains

Extreme rainfall has been hitting areas of Te

16 Oct 2026 2:00 AM
Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

Hot Weather Baking the Heartland This Week, Cooler Air Incoming

More records fell on Thursday afternoon and e

16 Oct 2026 1:50 AM
Cooler Air & Lingering Snow for The Rockies

Cooler Air & Lingering Snow for The Rockies

A digging trough is bringing cooler temperatu

15 Oct 2026 10:00 AM
Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel Spreading Moisture Across the Southwest

Rachel came ashore in far northwestern Mexico

13 Oct 2026 12:10 AM