The photo above was taken on an early morning drive to the Denver International Airport late last month. As you can see, there is no snow on the high plains or in the foothills, and there has been very little snow accumulation in the Colorado Rocky Mountains this winter!
Denver didn’t get its first snow until Nov. 29, the second latest first snow on record, and it was only 0.2 inches.
Temperatures around the Colorado Front Range have also been downright balmy, drawing close to, or even setting, record highs.
It was 70 F degrees (21.11 C) in Denver on Christmas Day!
A persistent pattern of high pressure over the western U.S. has been the main driver behind both the warmth and the lack of snow, effectively blocking Pacific storms that typically help build Colorado's snowpack.
Natural climate patterns from the Pacific, such as "La Niña, " are also contributing factors.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), during La Niña events, trade winds are even stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling increases, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface. These cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward. This tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and heavy rains and flooding in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. During a La Niña year, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the South and cooler than normal in the North. La Niña can also lead to a more severe hurricane season.
My front lawn is usually covered with deep snow by this time of the year.
Instead, this winter, it is full of deer enjoying the cool shade!
The few snowfalls we have had so far are light and melt quickly as the ground is warm and dry. The Rockies are at 50% of the snowpack they need, and I heard today that they will need five to eight feet of snow (2.4M) just to catch up to normal!
If we, and the other Western states, end up with really low snowpack numbers, water supplies will be greatly compromized and that could eventually lead to water restrictions, increased wildfire risk, and challenges for agriculture later this year.
Colorado’s snowpack typically peaks in early April, as March and April are historically the snowiest months in our region. Weather patterns may shift as La Niña weakens toward neutral conditions in the coming weeks.
We can only hope this will happen!
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The lack of snow really brings home how fragile our water future is. Those deer on the lawn are beautiful visitors though!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery and photos. I love the sweet deer.
I hope you get some snow there.
Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead.
What beautiful views and photos! How interesting to read about your weather. I think I would much rather have the deer on my front lawn than snow.
ReplyDeleteWe are right there with you with a no snow winter. Hope you have a good fresh week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThe weather is so crazy Pat -- and scary. It has been cold for Florida since we got here this year -- just now starting to approach normal subtropical temps for this time of year. Our Colorado "kid" sends pictures of their almost no snow winter (up in the mountains now) and deer in the yard similar to yours -- and one day last month he sent a weather page showing that day's temp almost exactly the same in their town and at ours here in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI think it's all part of the global warming. Here is Florida we have had freezing weather for the last few weeks. Last week one morning Miami was warmer than Anchorage, AL
ReplyDeleteSuch a fabulous series of sceneries
ReplyDeleteI hope you get the snow you need! I'd happily send some of ours your way. Though to be fair I think this is the first winter in a long time that we are getting a "normal" amount of snow as our last few winters were quite mild.
ReplyDeleteI like your pillow on your couch. Here in this california ski town, we are also praying for snow! What a crazy winter. Visiting from the block hop. Let's hope we get some snow soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a terrible winter here in Oregon too. As someone who loves to ski, I've endured bare slopes and hit more than a few rocks while skiing this season. Someone I met on the ski lift told me flushing ice cubes down the toilet would make it snow. I laughed at the time, but now I'm seriously considering doing this!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind a little La Nina action in Michigan but I can see why it could be very challenging in CO. My friend in Louisville says much the same (and finds herself going to the mountains to ski and even that's not quite what it used to be.) The weather is definitely wacky all over the world!
ReplyDeleteThe weather is of great concern. This winter has been very warm for us on the west coast, with lots of rain. But we need the colder temperatures for the snow pack in the mountains which feeds the rivers.
ReplyDeleteThe climatic changes are worrying. You have explained well here how the heat is affecting things. And I understand very well that you are praying for snowfall. The drought is a terrible result and is leading to further events. What can we do? Our hands are tied.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at MosaicMonday
Greetings by Heidrun ❤️
The views are absolutely stunning, and I loved seeing the deer in your garden! Such a strange winter for you, though. Fingers crossed the snow shows up before the season ends.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. :)
We could send you some of ours. It has been historically cold for the last month. Climate change is changing our weather....Michelle
ReplyDeleteSuch a strange winter! 🌞 The deer on your lawn are a sweet sight, but the low snowpack is definitely worrying. Hoping March and April bring the moisture Colorado needs. ❄️
ReplyDeleteA most beautiful post. I've not been to Denver in many moons. A beautiful city and surrounding area.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
I did enjoy seeing your photographs.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you get some snow there.
All the best Jan
The weather is like a rollercoaster, we had 3 snowflakes before Christmas and ever since rather warm weather with or without rain. It's not necessary anymore to separate winter and summer clothes !
ReplyDelete...Pat, water is life and I hope that you receive enough snow to get you through the coming summer.
ReplyDeleteWeather, for all of us, is becoming increasingly strange. Sorry to read that your snowfall has been so light. I know it affects so much in your part of the U.S.! Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos. I think we have your snow here in Pa. Lol. It's been something else here.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today from SSPS
I like that your lawn is busy with deer. So cute! No snow! mmmm that is unusual. Illinois had cold and snow. Just warming up now. Honestly, I have buds on the magnolia tree. Fingers and toes crossed hoping you get some snow.
ReplyDeletePray for snow is right! We've had a very mild winter as well. Our mountains are usually covered with snow this time of year, but are bare right now. Very concerning.
ReplyDeletei can relate to this strange weather, we have had a very mild Summer so far, not like our usual.
ReplyDeletePretty sky shots.
ReplyDeletePat, the views of the mountains are beautiful. Even without the snow. I love all the pretty deer images, they are cute critters.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have some snow soon. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Every day I check out the weather in Colorado Springs where my sister lives and almost every day this winter she is warmer than we are down in Tulsa.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is real and it is biting us in the butt.
we have had enough snow this year for the entire world. the deer are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful photo of the deer. Your photos of the High Plains and the foothills are stunning as well.
ReplyDeleteClimate change is very worrisome.
ReplyDelete