¥
more
precipitation
falls as
rain
rather than
snow
,
especially in the fall and spring
.
¥
snow melt
occurs faster and sooner in the spring
¥
snow pack
is therefore less
¥
soil moisture
is less as summer arrives
¥
the risk of
drought
increases substantially in
summer
¥
Along with wild fire
Declining
Snow Pack
in many mountain and continental
areas contributes to drought