Washington Snow Pack On Par for Early February

As of this week, the snowpack across Washington is 100% of average, meaning we are right where we should be for this time of year.  Scott Pattee with NRCS says in years past, 100% snowpack would be a little concerning because of the lack of wiggle room.  But this year, Pattee said he’s not concerned.

“The reservoirs are right up there at normal or above normal, we’ve had a lot of rain, lots of soil moisture, we had a good season last season, so, at 100% we’re right in there.  We’re right in the ballpark.”

Pattee told the Washington Ag Network the recent rain showers in the higher elevations have improved the water quantity in the snowpack, which is encouraging.  Pattee added it doesn’t look like we’re going to see much snow for the rest of the season.

"NOAA’s climate center, there shorter-term forecast, for the next couple of weeks.  They are talking about above normal temperatures, near or below normal precipitations.  It looks like there will be storms coming in like normal, I think they are going to be scattered, and maybe not quite as intense as we’ve been seeing.”

Pattee stressed as this point there is no reason to be concerned for the 2018 irrigation season.

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