The East River flows beneath snow Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Gothic, Colo. Billy Barr’s measu …

The East River flows beneath snow Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Gothic, Colo. Billy Barr's measu ...

The East River flows beneath snow Thursday, March 14, 2024, in Gothic, Colo. Billy Barr’s measurements revealed something he never expected long ago: snow is arriving later and disappearing earlier as the world warms. That’s a concerning sign for millions of people in the drought-stricken Southwest who rely on mountain snowpack to slowly melt throughout spring and summer to provide a steady stream of water for cities, agriculture and ecosystems. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson)