• Warm, dry conditions in April caused widespread snowmelt in Idaho, accelerating the spring runoff season.
• Streamflow forecasts have decreased significantly, leading to water supply concerns in multiple Idaho basins.
• Drought conditions have expanded, now affecting 47% of Idaho lands, primarily in northern Idaho and along the Idaho-Montana border.

Idaho is experiencing accelerated snowmelt due to unusually warm and dry conditions in April. This early snowmelt, as reported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has led to decreased streamflow forecasts and raised concerns about water supply in several basins, including the Big Wood, Little Wood, Salmon Falls, and Oakley basins. The state's snowpack peaked nearly two weeks earlier than usual on March 24. The expanding drought conditions, affecting nearly half of Idaho's land, further exacerbate these concerns.

• What: Early and rapid snowmelt in Idaho due to warm and dry conditions in April, leading to decreased streamflow forecasts and expanding drought conditions.
• Who: The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho, Erin Whorton (Water Supply Specialist for NRCS Idaho), and residents of Idaho.
• When: April 2024 (warm and dry conditions), March 24 (snowpack peak), May 1 (date of NRCS report).
• Where: Idaho, specifically the Big Wood, Little Wood, Salmon Falls, Oakley, Big and Little Lost, and Coeur d’Alene-St. Joe basins. Focus on western Idaho and the Snake River Plain, and northern Idaho and the Idaho-Montana border for drought.

The early snowmelt in Idaho, driven by unseasonably warm and dry conditions in April, presents a significant challenge for water resource management. The NRCS report highlights the vulnerability of Idaho's water supply to climate variability. The reduced streamflow forecasts and expanding drought conditions could have substantial impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and communities reliant on these water sources. Reservoir storage, while currently near or above normal in most areas, may not be sufficient to offset the long-term effects of reduced snowpack and streamflow.

Warm, dry conditions in April lead to widespread snowmelt in all basins across Idaho and accelerated the spring runoff season.

Idaho's early snowmelt and expanding drought conditions pose a threat to its water supply. The NRCS report underscores the need for proactive water management strategies to mitigate the potential impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and communities. While reservoir storage is currently adequate in many areas, the reduced streamflow forecasts and persistent drought raise concerns about long-term water availability and the need for careful monitoring and conservation efforts.