3-20 IAT Snowpack

 DRY WINTER MONTHS TO AFFECT SUMMER WATER SUPPLY

Two months of below normal precipitation in most parts of Idaho are likely to affect water supply according to the most recent report released by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Ron Abramovich, Idaho NRCS Water Supply Specialist said “The snowpack is lagging from below normal precipitation in January and February. If March is dry that will affect streamflow forecasts. Currently, the majority of streams in the state are forecast in the 70-90% of average range and the snow ranges from 70-105% of median for early March. We’ve learned from the past that when we get two dry winter months in a row, negative impacts on the water supply start to occur.  Abundant March precipitation would help but short of that, preserving the snow that already exists is the best we can hope for.”  High elevation snowpack is adequate and carrying the snowpack average. The low elevation snowpack lacks volume and will melt out quickly as seasonal temperatures increase.