11/04/08 October was a dry month

October weather was more summer like, save for an eastern Idaho snowstorm and the earliest recorded Boise snowfall. But Ron Abromovich of the NRCS Snow Survey says rainfall around the state last month was scant, about half the normal amount in some western basins. There were a few wet spots however. ABROMOVICH "One was the Oakley basin. Other ones were over in the Henry's Fork area and Little Lost basin where they were 108 percent, 143 percent in the Mud Lake area." As we head into the snow season Abromovich says it's a mixed bag for reservoir carryover. ABROMOVICH "The upper Snake especially, it's much better than a year ago but a few other reservoirs like Oakley, Salmon Falls and Magic it's less this year than a year ago. The Boise and Payette basin are in pretty good shape along with Dworshak Reservoir." Abromovich says if most basins get a normal or above normal snowpack followed by spring rains there should be a normal supply of water next summer. ABROMOVICH "The basins that have the greatest need for a good snowpack this year are Little Lost basin and Salmon Falls, both at about 120 percent of average to insure a good supply." No El Nino. No La Nina. The long range forecast calls for normal or slightly above normal precipitation in the Pacific Northwest this winter with slightly colder temperatures. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott