A record-low snowpack across the Western United States is setting the stage for a cascade of interconnected crises this year. The lack of snow, a critical natural water reservoir, will lead to significantly reduced water supplies for tens of millions of people, agriculture, and ecosystems. This water scarcity will intensify competition between states, cities, and farmers, likely triggering complex legal battles and political disputes over dwindling resources. Furthermore, the resulting dry conditions will create a tinderbox environment, substantially increasing the risk of an early and severe wildfire season. The situation underscores the growing vulnerability of the region’s water management systems to climate change and extreme weather patterns. Read the full article at: https://www.wired.com/story/record-low-snow-in-the-west-will-mean-less-water-more-fire-and-political-chaos/