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February 7, 2024

Snow drought still covers much of the western U.S., with the worst conditions in the northern Rocky Mountains.

January 26, 2024

Snow Drought in Much of the Intermountain West Region Despite El Niño

January 10, 2024

2024 Begins with Record Low Snow Conditions Across the West—But Help Is on the Way

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Document Date
December 22, 2023
Document Description

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Western Region for September–November 2023. Dated December 2023.

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Document Date
December 22, 2023
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Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for September–November 2023. Dated December 2023.

Warmer temperatures dominated the region, with cooler temperatures arriving for short periods at the end of October and November. Minimum temperatures were well above normal throughout the entire region this fall. After above-normal precipitation in September and October in parts of the basin, conditions dried out significantly in November.

December 21, 2023

Drought Is Likely to Persist Across Portions of the Missouri River Basin with an El Niño Winter Ahead

December 6, 2023

Low Precipitation and Warm Temperatures Drive Western Snow Drought Risk

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Document Date
November 2, 2023
Document Description

This handout provides information on the typical EL Niño winter pattern; the El Niño outlook; potential winter and spring impacts; and comparisons of conditions during previous El Niño years for the Missouri River Basin region. Updated November 2023.

NOAA’s Regional Climate Services Program created these outlooks to inform the public about climate impacts within their respective regions. Each regional report contains easy-to-understand language, and anyone can access them through the U.S. Drought Portal.

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Document Date
September 25, 2023
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Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for June–August 2023. Dated September 2023.

Temperatures averaged near normal despite the extreme heat waves throughout the summer. Precipitation was plentiful in the west, with Wyoming and the Front Range of the Rockies receiving record amounts. Cheyenne, Wyoming and Akron, Colorado narrowly missed their summertime records; however, southwestern Colorado was bone-dry.

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Document Date
September 22, 2023
Document Description

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Western Region for June–August 2023. Dated September 2023.

Temperatures were above normal across the Pacific Northwest and much of the Southwest. New Mexico, Washington, and Oregon had their third, fifth, and seventh warmest summer on record, respectively. Remnants of Hurricane Hilary brought heavy rainfall to southern California and the Great Basin in mid-August and contributed to much-above-normal total summer precipitation across the region.

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