Drought

A new analysis shows more than two-thirds of data centers built – or in development – since 2022 are in drought-prone areas, including parts of the Mountain West. Experts warn this could strain water supplies for cities and farmers.

Economic and environmental challenges could complicate the Trump administration’s proposal to create housing on public lands. A new analysis supports the idea, but says it is unlikely to solve the affordable housing crisis by itself.

A new scientific analysis shows spring is getting warmer across the U.S. because of climate change. Some of the fastest-warming cities are in the Mountain West, threatening to shrink water supplies and increase wildfire risk.

In the Western U.S., extreme wildfires are damaging tribal lands. Climate change has only made the situation more dire. That’s why the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California is working to reintroduce intentional, cultural fire. These are once-banned burning practices they use to restore the health of their forests and plants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is spending $60 million to help tribal farmers in the Mountain West use less water amid drought – and still grow their crops.

Winter is coming. But how much snow will it bring? Federal forecasters recently released their outlook for the season, and projections for the Mountain West are all over the map.

The federal government is spending another $15.3 million to improve climate projections of extreme weather. That’s to help communities in the Mountain West and beyond prepare for future disasters brought on by climate change.

As heatwaves and wildfires scorch parts of the West, a new survey shows most Americans have recent experiences with extreme weather. It also reveals they now support policy changes to address the risk. But the more forceful the policy, the less the support.

The federal government is spending nearly $5 million to improve drought monitoring and forecasts in the West to help states, communities and farmers better plan and prepare for droughts.

For more than 20 years, the federal government has been monitoring drought conditions nationwide. A new study shows that the system is not keeping up with climate change, especially in the Mountain West region.