Idaho Snowpack A Record Low For December

The snowpack in Washington is well off the mark, Oregon’s snowpack is not where it should be, and unfortunately, the Gem State completes the hat trick.

“Here in Idaho, we have a record low snowpack for this time in December, pretty much across the entire state," said Erin Whorton with NRCS.  "Not every SNOTEL station is studying a record low, but most are.”

Whorton added when it comes to the lack of snowpack, Idaho has two distinct issues; in the south it’s been warm and dry for the past two months, while in the panhandle temperatures have been well above freezing even in the higher elevations.  Many of the basins across Idaho currently are near 50% of normal snowpack for this time of year, unless you look at southern Idaho, where many basins are below that 50% mark.

While the state is not receiving the snow it should, the news isn’t all bad.

"On one hand, it's really good because northern Idaho's been in [a] severe drought for three continuous years," Whorton noted.  "It's one of the worst droughts on record. But of course, when you get too much water too quickly, all sorts of other problems happen. So, they're experiencing flooding in northern Idaho right now. So, it's good they're getting precipitation, but too much at once is just causing different kinds of problems.”

While the numbers are concerning right now, Whorton stresses three to four months remain to build a sizable snowpack.  And she says the newest systems rolling in over the next week or so are expected to bring precipitation as well as cooler temperatures.  In fact, she said some locations in Idaho may enjoy a white Christmas.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com