This document contains information from Douglas P. Boyle of the Nevada State Climate Office regarding water year precipitation and snowpack conditions across Nevada. Maps show that much of Nevada is experiencing below average precipitation and snowpack, with percentages of normal ranging from 1% to 83% across different regions as of April 16, 2015. The document also includes information on reservoir status, drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, seasonal forecasts and other climate data and resources available through the Nevada State Climate Office.

1. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Nevada State Climate Office
Douglas P. Boyle
douglasb@unr.edu
Department of Geography
University of Nevada, Reno

2. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2015 WY Precipitation

3. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Precipitation % of Normal
Eastern
Nevada
Northern Great Basin
Lower
Humboldt
Southern Nevada
Walker
Carson
Owyhee River Snake
River
Clover
Valley
Upper
Humboldt
Truckee
Lake
Tahoe
51
78
69
68
83
48
48
83
52
77
53
Water Year (Oct 1)
to Date Precipitation
Basin-wide Percent
of 1981-2010 Average
unavailable *
<50%
50 - 69%
70 - 89%
90 - 109%
110 - 129%
130 - 149%
>= 150%
Prepared by:
USDA/NRCS National Water and Climate Center
Portland, Oregon
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov
Provisional data
subject to revision
Nevada/California SNOTEL Water Year (Oct 1) to Date Precipitation % of Normal
0 75 15037.5
Miles
* Data unavailable
at time of posting
or measurement
is not representative
at this time of year
The water year to date precipitation percent of normal represents the
accumulated precipitation found at selected SNOTEL sites in or near the basin
compared to the average value for those sites on this day. Data based on
the first reading of the day (typically 00:00).
Apr 16, 2015

4. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
SWE % of Normal
Eastern
Nevada
Northern Great Basin
Lower
Humboldt
Southern Nevada
Walker
Carson
Owyhee River Snake
River
Clover
Valley
Upper
Humboldt
Truckee
Lake
Tahoe
16
27
26
6
1
17
24
37
15
58
0
Current Snow
Water Equivalent
Basin-wide Percent
of 1981-2010 Median
unavailable *
<50%
50 - 69%
70 - 89%
90 - 109%
110 - 129%
130 - 149%
>= 150%
Prepared by:
USDA/NRCS National Water and Climate Center
Portland, Oregon
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov
Provisional data
subject to revision
Nevada/California SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) % of Normal
0 70 14035
Miles
* Data unavailable
at time of posting
or measurement
is not representative
at this time of year
The current snow water equivalent percent of normal represents the
snow water equivalent found at selected SNOTEL sites in or near the basin
compared to the average value for those sites on this day. Data based on
the first reading of the day (typically 00:00).
Apr 16, 2015

5. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2015 WY Temperature

6. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2014 Warm Temperatures

7. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2014 Warm Temperatures

8. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2014 Warm Temperatures

9. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
2014 Warm Temperatures

10. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Reservoir Status

11. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
NRCS Volumetric Forecasts

12. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
U.S. Drought Monitor

13. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
U.S.D.M – Policy Impacts
2015 S ecretarial D ro u g h t D es ign atio n s -A ll D ro u g h t
Alaska 1:58,102,399
Hawaii 1:19,740,053
S ecretarial D rou gh t D es ign ation s for 2015
Disaster Incidents as of April 15, 2015
State Boundary
County Boundary
Tribal Lands
USDA Farm Service Agency
Primary Counties: 302
Production, Emergencies and Compliance Division
Washington, D.C. Contiguous Counties: 150
1:23,520,203 Puerto Rico 1:5,592,808April 15, 2015
Accuracy of Drought Monitor is important!

14. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Assessing Drought Status
Questions from public about the DM
• Why is ____ D4?
• Why isn’t ____ D4?
• What does D4 mean?
• Is the drought over?
• How much precipitation do we need to end the drought?
• When will that happen?
• Is the drought due to global warming?
• Are we in the beginning (or middle) of a “mega-drought?
CA-NV DM & Water Conditions Discussion
• Discuss latest local water conditions, impacts, actions, and the DM
• Provide a coordinated response to DM authors and others
• Single most valuable resource for NSCO.

15. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Death Valley

16. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Recommendations to DM Authors
Move to D4 Move to D3 Move to D1
“As of the end of
December, Denio was
above 150% of normal
precipitation while
eastward at
McDermitt it was
closer to 50%”
We need help!

17. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Availability of Information
Large number of weather &
climate products available

18. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
L.T. Drought Indicator Blend

19. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
S.T. Drought Indicator Blend

20. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Availability of Information

21. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Availability of Information

22. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Availability of Analysis Tools

23. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Availability of Observations
How accurate are these products
and tools?
The topography, geology, and
weather patterns in the West
require a large number of real
climate observations to characterize
the spatial and temporal variability.
We have the least number of
climate observations in these areas.
Desperately need more real
observations of climate variables to
understand and assess uncertainty
and product limitations.
We need your help!

24. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
3-month Temperature Forecast

25. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
3-month Precipitation Forecast

26. Department of Geography, University of Nevada Reno Douglas P. Boyle
Seasonal Drought Outlook
http://go.usa.gov/hHTe
U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook
Author:
Rich Tinker
NOAA/NWS/NCEP/Climate Prediction Center
Drought Tendency During the Valid Period
Valid for April 16 - July 31, 2015
Released April 16, 2015
Depicts large-scale trends based
on subjectively derived probabilities
guided by short- and long-range
statistical and dynamical forecasts.
Use caution for applications that
can be affected by short lived events.
"Ongoing" drought areas are
based on the U.S. Drought Monitor
areas (intensities of D1 to D4).
NOTE: The tan areas imply at least
a 1-category improvement in the
Drought Monitor intensity levels by
the end of the period, although
drought will remain. The green
areas imply drought removal by the
end of the period (D0 or none).
Drought persists/intensifies
Drought remains but improves
Drought removal likely
Drought development likely