(Image source from: Northern Arizona facing worst dry spell in recent years)
While most part of the USA continues to weather chill, Northern Arizona remains devoid of any snow or cold. In fact, being in N. Arizona will make you wonder if it's still summer in this part of the region in January.
It's been almost 40 days now that this part of the country hasn't received any snow, making it the longest dry spell during the winter for the ski town. And this isn't good news. The lack of snow and cold could strip the air of moisture, causing wild blazes in days to come.
Vic Morfin with the Coconino National Forest says, “Right now it is looking fairly bleak and that means we could have a very severe wildfire season.”
Morfin says that statewide we only have about 50 percent snowpack and we will need more snow to reduce the risk of wildfires going into the late spring and summer.
On average, five to six feet of snow will be needed over the next several months.
“February and March are typically the two months with the highest snowfall amounts, but March and April snow are much more important, and that’s what really makes or breaks fire season so to speak,” Morfin said.
If Arizona doesn’t get enough snow in the next few months, forest officials could also implement fire restrictions, though there are none in place at this time. He says typically those tend to be issued in May or June.
For now, there is still hope that Mother Nature will come through with snow over the next six to eight weeks.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
