Despite Recent Snow Storms 2017 Snowpack Not Impressive

Despite several winter storms pounding the Northwest, the area snowpack is slightly below average for this time of year.  Not only are the figures, below average, they’ve all decreased in the recent weeks.  NRCS’ Scott Pattee told the Washington Ag Network several basins are reporting snowpacks below where they should be for this time of year, including:

• The Upper Yakima currently at 81% of average, down from 92%
• The Spokane at 77%, down from the 80% reported earlier this year
• The Lower Snake down to 87%

The remaining basins on the eastside of the Cascades are higher than 90% of average for this time of year.  Pattee said there is no reason, at this point, to panic.

“As long as we can keep what we have through the entire season like last year, where it warmed up and melted off really early.  But, as long as we can keep what we have in place then I think we’ll be in good shape.”

Pattee also noted the reservoirs are in very good shape because of fall showers.

“The fall rains that we had above normal rain, especially in October and November, and even September was above normal, so those reservoirs have really recharged early, and so they are definitely above normal.”

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