Record-low snowpack

While the long-suffering people in the eastern half of America reel from the impact of the massive storm that just passed through (and now, apparently, a nor'easter is bearing down on the Carolinas), those of us living in the west are uneasy. Here it is the end of January, and – except for the barest dusting a couple days ago – we've had NO snow.

Since October of 2004, I've keep a "weather diary" in which I record (briefly) the day's high and low temperatures, any notable weather (rain, wind, snow), and a brief synopsis of our activities. In looking back at this document, the last time we had any precipitation was January 2. The rest of the month, we've been bone-dry.

And people are getting edgy.

Yesterday I caught a news story entitled "Western states face 'snow drought' as snowpack hits record lows." The subtitle notes, "Despite the recent winter storm, Colorado, Utah and other Western states are severely lacking in mountain snow. Scientists are concerned about the water supply and wildfire risk."

And that's what is making everyone nervous.

Here's a USDA chart of the snowpack levels in the western U.S.:

"While it’s not unusual to have some basins lower than historical averages," notes the article, "it's rare to have nearly every region of the West facing snowfall deficits." After the atmospheric river that hit the northwest in late 2025 ran its course, "the spigot of moisture largely shut off in the Northwest."

Further, "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center expects dry conditions for much of the West for the next two weeks, with temperatures remaining above average for the next month. [Philip Mote, a professor at Oregon State University's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences], said some areas west of the Cascade crest – which runs up the spine of Washington and Oregon – could recover if a few big storms come later this winter or in spring. But, he said, 'for Eastern Washington and most of Idaho, the story's already kind of been written and it's just unlikely to change.'"

Translation: Those of us in the Inland Northwest must prepare for an explosive wildfire season.

Don and I are already doing this. We're making contingency plans for rapid evacuation and home safety. Thankfully, a few years ago we participated in a county brush-clearing program to remove "ladder" brush from an overgrown portion of our property. And since getting cows, of course, our property has remained trimmed down.

But that doesn't mean we're out of danger. We're looking into a gel fire suppression system to protect the house and barn. We have our 1500-gallon roof runoff system which can be used for emergency water. We intend to have our go-bags packed and ready. We'll have a list posted on the refrigerator of things to do and pack in advance of an evacuation so we don't panic and forget something critical. We have important documents (i.e. birth certificates, etc.) in a file, ready to grab. We'll make sure to have pet supplies and equipment (food, carriers, cages, leashes, etc.) ready to go.

Even this early in the season, we're taking some preliminary steps. We're burning off some accumulated shop waste. We're photographing, documenting, and inventorying everything for insurance purposes.

It's not a pleasant thing to think about the possibility of losing our homestead, but we'd rather be prepared for the worst even as we pray for the best.