NASA's Earth Observatory featured FEWS NET data for their Image of the Day this week, on March 20th, 2018 in an article titled, "Record Low Snowpack in Afghanistan."

The article discusses a record low in levels of "snow water equivalent" coming from the snowpack in Afganistan. These levels are concerning as "snowmelt is an important source of water for crops and irrigation." USAID's Famine Early Warnings Systems Network (FEWS NET) reported that the high temperatures are expected to deplete the snowpack "sooner than normal, resulting in possible irrigation water shortages in April and May." The map on the right shows conditions on February 21, 2018, amid a low snowpack; while the left map shows conditions on February 21, 2017.

 

See the article on NASA Earth Observatory here.

 

See the FEWS NET data referenced in "Low seasonal precipitation in Afganistan may hamper crop production in 2018" here and read "Update on performance of the October 2016-May 2017 wet season" here.