I have always loved snow because I grew up in the south and saw snowflakes fall a few times a year. As climate change has continued, we’ve been seeing less and less snow down south. There’s nothing better than waking up to a magical winter wonderland that’s been changed. It looks like our lack of snow has only gotten worse over the past few years. This year, though, the weather forecasts finally say that it will snow, which could end our dry spell.
A Look at the Southern Snow Drought
In the south of the United States, winter snowfall has dropped by a lot in the last ten years. A flurry or two may fall every once in a while, but big snowfalls are becoming less common. According to climate data, the average amount of snow that falls each year is up to 80% less than it was 20 years ago in some areas. Not just in the Deep South, either. Huge drops have been seen in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas, among other places.
The cause? Rising temperatures due to climate change. It rains more instead of snows when the winters are warmer. The South has had the least amount of snow since records began in the late 1800s because of this warming trend. Playing in the snow isn’t something that kids do every winter like it was when their parents were kids. Some people in the south have never seen more than a dusting of snow in their whole lives!
The lack of southern snowfall has had ecological impacts too. Snow cover insulates vegetation protecting roots and providing moisture. Without this insulation plant life can suffer damage during hard freezes. Many species rely on melting snow for water as well. The snow drought has put further strain on already vulnerable ecosystems across the region.
Signs of Hope This Winter
This year, meteorologists are finally forecasting some much-needed snow relief for the South Strong weather patterns could allow multiple winter storms to sweep down from the north later this season
In late December, a system brought light snow as far south as Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Then in early January, parts of Texas and Oklahoma saw upwards of 6 inches accumulate. While these first showers only dropped a quick coating for most areas, they signal a shift in the weather that could bring heavier events down the road.
Long-range forecasts suggest a high chance of substantial snowfall across the South in late January into February. The clash of cold arctic air from Canada with Gulf of Mexico moisture is likely to spawn low pressure systems conducive to snow. Specific amounts or locations can’t be pinpointed yet, but the ingredients will be there for the southern snow drought to finally end.
There are signs that the weather might behave in a way that is similar to the historic 2014 southern winter storm season. In that year, Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Carolinas got the most snow in decades! In fact, the whole South, from Louisiana to the Mid-Atlantic, was covered in snow more than once. We may be in for a repeat performance this year.
Preparing for Snow After Years Without
After so many mild winters, southerners may be out of practice when it comes to preparing for and dealing with significant snowfall. Here are some key things to remember
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Stock up on basic supplies like food, water, batteries and generator fuel in case roads become impassable. Don’t wait until the last minute when stores empty out!
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Have snow removal equipment like salt/sand, snow shovels and ice scrapers on hand before the snow hits. Local stores will sell out quickly once flurries are in the forecast.
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Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank at least half full. Top off windshield wiper fluid and check tire tread depth.
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When snow is imminent, avoid travel if possible. Roads will become hazardous well before the pavement appears fully covered.
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If you must go out in snowy conditions, allow ample time to drive slowly. Accelerate and brake gradually, leave extra distance between cars and don’t power up hills.
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Dress in layers if you’ll be outside shoveling walkways or playing in the snow. Windproof outerwear is key.
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Keep alternative heating sources ready like a fireplace or space heater in case of power outages. Never run gas powered equipment indoors due to carbon monoxide dangers.
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Check on elderly or at-risk neighbors to ensure they have supplies and their homes are adequately heated. Even a brief loss of power can be life threatening for some.
Enjoying Southern Snow Days
While preparing for winter weather is important, we should also anticipate the fun and beauty that a decent snowfall can bring to our region. After so many years without, now is the time to help kids experience the wonder of snow days they’ve missed out on:
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Build snowmen, snow angels and igloos in the yard. Decorate with spare buttons, fabric scraps or pebbles for eyes and noses.
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Make and throw snowballs, but remind little ones to avoid faces. Snowball target practice at trees or fences is a fun alternative.
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Go sledding on any hill you can find! Plastic saucers, old toboggans or even garbage can lids will work.
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For the more adventurous, construct basic ramps or jumps for sledding tricks. Start small to test them out safely.
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Cozy up by the fire with mugs of hot cocoa after being out in the cold. Add mini marshmallows or chocolate shavings for a special treat.
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Cook classic snow day comfort foods like vegetable beef stew, chili or thick soup to warm up from the inside out.
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Utilize an unexpected day off from work or school by playing board games or catching up on reading or movies.
With proper preparation and a sense of wonder, a rare southern snow day can be enjoyed to the fullest this winter. We’ll never turn down the opportunity to trade our usual jacket weather for a proper winter coat we can really bundle up in! Hopefully this season’s forecasted storms end the southern snow drought so we can have the kind of blustery winter we rarely get to experience down south.
Rocky Mountain Snow Conditions (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)
Snowpack in the northern Rocky Mountains is generally near-to-above median; however, some isolated areas are experiencing snow drought. The Lewis Range, which goes from the border with Canada to just northwest of Helena in northwest Montana, has had less snow than usual all season. Several SNOTEL stations report snow water equivalent (SWE) below the 20th percentile. The Marias River Basin is at 76% of median and 70% of median peak SWE, which occurs on April 17.
Much-above-normal temperatures during the last week of March caused substantial snowmelt in the region and led to early snowmelt at some lower-elevation stations. SWE at the Myrtle Creek SNOTEL station in northern Idaho fell from 3. 5 inches of SWE to zero on March 31—five days before the median snowmelt date for this station (April 5). The spring heat wave also impacted higher elevations, with record SWE losses throughout the region. Peak SWE usually happens in late April or early May at higher elevations in the northern Rocky Mountains. This early melt out in March could change peak SWE for the water year.
Snow drought conditions are much more widespread in the central Rocky Mountains than in the northern Rocky Mountains. Western Utah and southern Colorado have the worst conditions. Some SNOTEL stations are reporting record-low snow water equivalent (SWE).
In southwestern Utah, most stations report less than 50% of median SWE. In the Lower Colorado-Lake Mead Basin, SWE is at 46% of median. The Upper Colorado-Dirty Devil River Basin is at 65% of median SWE and 53% of median peak SWE, which occurs on March 31. In southern Colorado, the Upper San Juan Basin is at 61% of median SWE and 51% of median peak SWE, which occurs on April 4, and the Rio Grande Headwaters Basin is at 62% of median and 51% of median peak SWE, which occurs on April 3.
The spring heat wave also impacted this region, accelerating snowmelt during the last week of March. Less severe, but still notable, snowpack deficits are present further north in the Uinta Mountains in Utah and along much of the west slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The Lower Green River Basin in Utah is currently at 87% of median SWE, and Gunnison River Basin in Colorado is at 80% of median.
Oregon and Washington Snow Conditions
Snowpack is generally below median in the northern Cascade Range in Washington, near median in the central Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon, and much above median in the southern Oregon Cascade Range, as well as in Steens Mountain and the Blue Mountain Range in eastern Oregon. Elsewhere in Oregon and Washington, snowpack is generally above median.
The main area of concern for snow drought is in the northern half of the Washington Cascade Range, where snow water equivalent (SWE) is less than 70% of median at many SNOTEL stations. The Puget Sound Basin is currently at 77% of median SWE and 75% of median peak SWE, which occurs on April 14. A late March heat wave led to substantial snowmelt in this basin, with some stations reporting 5-7 inches of SWE loss over five days. Peak SWE in the Washington Cascade Range typically occurs in mid-April, or later at higher elevations. While there is still some time left for snow drought recovery, forecasts suggest a return of below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures, making recovery to median peak SWE unlikely.
Rapid snowmelt in southeastern Oregon is contributing to flood conditions in parts of northern Harney County near the town of Burns, prompting the state of Oregon to declare a flood emergency. The nearby Starr Ridge, Lake Creek, and Rock Springs SNOTEL stations lost more than 4 inches of SWE over the last 10 days of March.
In northern Oregon, SWE is below median at a few lower-elevation sites on the west slope of the Cascade Range. For example, Jump Off Joe SNOTEL station (3,530-foot elevation) is currently at 40% of median SWE.
Winter Storm Blankets South and May End Snow Drought in Northeast
FAQ
Where does it still snow in May?
Mammoth Mountain, California: Mammoth Mountain gets an amazing 400 inches of snow every year and is known for having a long ski season. It’s often open until Memorial Day Weekend, and sometimes even longer.
Did it snow in May 1977?
The May 9-10, 1977 snowstorm’s broad surface low pressure began to form during the night of May 8. By 8 AM on May 9, the surface low was east of the Mid -Atlantic coast and rapidly intensified southeast of Cape Cod through the afternoon of the 9th. Precipitation started out as a mix and changed over to heavy, wet snow.
Did all 50 states get snow in 2025?
Every U.S. county that has reported snowfall for 2025. All 50 U.S. states have observed snow.
Why is Colorado getting no snow?
Low precipitation and warm temperatures are driving the most prevalent snow drought in Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, Wyoming, and Alaska. Snow drought improved in some areas of the northern Rocky Mountains.
Will a winter storm end a two-year drought without snow?
Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press A winter storm was pushing east over large parts of the Southeast on Monday, bringing more snow and freezing temperatures to the region before reaching the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Tuesday, where forecasters said it could end a nearly two-year drought without snow.
Could a storm end a snowless streak in the northeast?
The National Weather Service said that later this week, a storm that brings freezing temperatures to the South could end a streak of no snow in the Northeast. It was below zero in the northern plains because of a cold Arctic air mass that was moving toward the Northeast on Monday. Jeffrey T. Barnes/Associated Press.
Is the southeast bracing for a winter storm?
The Southeast was bracing for extremely cold temperatures on Monday, with several states under winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories. The governors of Mississippi and Alabama declared states of emergency as officials across the region opened warming centers and advised residents to prepare for freezing conditions.