Abnormal snowmelt is sweeping across Washington state and much of the West, with rapid snowpack depletion raising concerns about future drought conditions.

This disruptive type of coastal storm is more typically seen during winter and rarely happens in May. It will bring heavy rain and wind to millions through Friday.

Precipitation has been near normal, but that is largely due to a wet fall. Precipitation since January has been 78% statewide. Some areas, including the seven counties currently under a drought advisory, had less than 75% of normal precipitation since January.

Record-breaking snowmelt heightens fire danger in the West, as NOAA warns of increased risks from above-average temperatures.

The snowpack in California and other western U.S. states is melting at a record-breaking pace despite above-average snowfall in many areas, threatening an early start to the wildfire season and persistence of drought conditions,

Amy Cotter, a weather observer and education specialist at the Mount Washington Observatory, discusses summit conditions amid a May nor'easter, including wind gusts, temperatures and snowfall totals so far.

In the Northern Cascades, officials say three climbers died after falling 200 feet when an anchor failed while they were rappelling. The investigation is still underway but the group was navigating ice,