More drought for the West in 2004

Droughts periodically hit almost all areas of the world. Unfortunately, a persistent drought condition has prevailed in the western U.S. for the past five years - and surprisingly, low rainfall is not the sole cause of the drought.

Many western states normally encounter several months of drought conditions each summer. This is expected. What hasn’t been expected is that the snowpack that usually provides the needed water during the drought months of the year is melting too early. Snowmelt makes…