Summary

• Heavier, more concentrated rainfall can exceed soil absorption capacity, increasing runoff while reducing water retained in landscapes.
• Longer gaps between storms and faster evaporation are worsening drought conditions even where annual precipitation totals remain stable or increase.
• The U.S. West, including the Rocky Mountains and Colorado River basin, is a prominent hotspot for precipitation concentration and water-supply stress.
• Storm activity is intensifying beyond winter, including stronger or more frequent spring and autumn storms in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic.
• Recent flooding and drought in Vermont illustrate how high precipitation variability can produce both damaging floods and rapid-onset water shortages.
• Historical infrastructure, forecasting models, and emergency plans may not reflect the changing timing and intensity of precipitation.