|
Montana snowfall up from last year |
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 23 January 2008 |
 MOVING IT OUT – Highway Department crews were busy along 4th Ave. on Tuesday removing snow that had been plowed to the middle of the street. It has been a while since Conrad saw enough snow to have it plowed in the street for pickup. I-O Photo by Buck Traxler
The NRCS provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts by evaluating data gathered at automated and manual sites located throughout the foothills and mountains of the western United States.
“The snow water content recorded on Jan. 1, represents about 40 to 45 percent of the seasonal snowfall,” said Kaiser. “With more than half of the snowfall season remaining and slightly above average precipitation, Montana could see a positive snowpack for the season.”
Mountain precipitation for December west of the Continental Divide was 123 percent of average and east of the Continental Divide was 109 percent of average. According to Kaiser, the erratic storms tracking mostly west of the Continental Divide and across mountains in the southern portions of southwest and south central Montana have helped to improve precipitation levels.
Mountain snow water content statewide was 91 percent of average and 111 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide, mountain snow water content was 90 percent of average and 106 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, mountain snow water content was 90 percent of average and 114 percent of last year.
For the period April 1 through July 31, streamflows across Montana are forecast to average between 67 and 81 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 75 and 87 percent and east of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 62 and 78 percent.
Below are the River Basin streamflow forecasts for April 1 through July 31.
These forecasts assume near normal moisture and runoff conditions from January through July and do not account for well below average (70 percent or less) or above average (110 percent or more) snowmelt or spring rain.
|
