Recent snowstorms in the Colorado Rockies have helped elevate snowpack levels as the calendar turns to spring. About two weeks remain to build up snowpack ahead of what climate experts say will be another dry year in the desert Southwest. A report released on Thursday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a greater-than-50% chance that the drought will persist through the end of June. The affected area includes Southern Nevada, Southern California, Southern Utah, all of Arizona, and southwest Colorado.

Other snowpack and water supply news:

• The Sacramento Bee: Will Northern California see ‘Miracle March’ after wild winter? What weather experts say
• National Integrated Drought Information System: News release: Low snowpack drives worsening drought in the Intermountain West