We Need Snow Pack in Idaho

  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) December snow survey shows current snowpacks in Idaho are 45-80% of average but only 20-30% of their seasonal peaks which occur in early April. Snow surveys are conducted at the end of each month from December through May to make snow runoff predictions and water supply forecasts used in managing Idaho’s water resources.

 Ron Abramovich, NRCS Water Supply Specialist warns us not to be tricked by December’s cold temperatures. Those cold temperatures were accompanied by below normal precipitation. Currently, the snowpacks across the state are shallow. (Abramovich) “So far we’ve got some snow but we need a lot more. So we’re hoping to get back in a storm track and we double the amount of snow water we currently have up in the mountains.” Are you saying we’re parched? “Yes…we’ve been getting a little bit here and there but nothing major to brag about.

 November, December and January are generally Idaho's biggest precipitation months, but November and December did not come through. November precipitation amounts were only 20-30% of average across southern Idaho and 40-60% in central and northern Idaho. December temperatures set record lows an precipitation ranged from 45% of average to near average. So far January hasn’t produced what we need.