Colorado’s rivers and streams are expected to flow at only a quarter of normal levels during June and July, following what the Natural Resources Conservation Service referred to as an “unusual volatile winter” in its June water supply outlook. On the Western Slope, the outlook is even more grim, with the Colorado River headwaters basin expected to see streamflows 21% of normal and the Yampa-White-Little Snake basin 19% of normal during these two months. This year, Colorado’s snowpack accumulation was the lowest on record. … As Colorado’s climate experts and forecasters look for any bright spot or relief for the drought, many are looking at the June 11 arrival of El Nino at the expected arrival of a Super El Nino by the end of the year. 

Other weather and water forecast news:

• The Plumas Sun (Quincy, Calif.): Fire and ice: ‘Snow drought’ could impact water, wildfire
• SFGate: Why El Niño is driving this unusual ocean phenomenon in California
• Big Pivots: Blog: Will El Niño ride to the Colorado River’s rescue?