Why heavy winter rain and snow won't be enough to pull the West out of a megadrought

Skiers cruise down the slopes at Snowmass ski area in Colorado. This winter has already delivered snow totals above 130% of average, but climate scientists say it will take more than one wet winter to pull the arid West out of a 23-year drought. (Alex Hager/KUNC)

This winter, the West has been slammed by wet weather. Heavy rains have pummeled California, and the Rocky Mountains are getting buried with snow.

That's good news for the Colorado River, where that moisture hints at a possible springtime boost for massive reservoirs that have been crippled by drought. Climate scientists, though, say the 40 million people who use the river's water should take the good news with a grain of salt.