The map to the left depicts the percent of average seasonal snowpack across the western U.S. as of May 1st. Despite some much needed rain and snow for the Pacific Northwest during spring (March-May), snowpack and snow water content in the Northwest still reflected the lack of winter precipitation with areas of Washington and Oregon having less than 25% of their normal snow. The Southwest maintained an above average snowpack during the snow season with some areas (central Sierra Nevada, parts of Utah) over 125% of normal, even at the end of May. This was mostly due to a series of Pacific storms impacting the region through the winter. Interior Alaska also had above average snowpack, while the northern and southern coasts of the state received less than average snow for the 2004-2005 snow season.
NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information
