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| Spring Snow |
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| The calendar
may say spring, but the white stuff that still surrounds some of us
tells a different story, or so it seems.
Every spring,
those of us who live in the Rocky Mountain region know to expect
snowfall, sometimes in great abundance. We can get our heaviest,
most-moisture-laden snow from March through April. This moisture is
quite necessary, not only for the soil and plants in our yards and
gardens, but also for lessening the fire danger in the mountains and on
the plains during late summer.
According to
the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS), Wyoming's
snowpack this year as of the 1st of April is low in the west and fairly
strong in the central and east. For example, the lower North Platte is
90 to 96% percent of average, whereas the Snake River drainage is only
about 60%. The lowest snowpack is in the Upper Green River area, with
less than 60%.
Low snowpack
rings with concern throughout the state, from low spring runoff for
agriculture to food concerns for wildlife to thoughts of wildfires.
There are still a few good months of snow possibilities left, but
probably not enough can fall to make up for the shortage. Be prepared -
watering your garden this summer may cost more.
Even though we
may be weary of shoveling snow, cleaning snow off our cars, and worrying
about travel on snowpacked or icy highways, spring snowfall is
important to everyone. Let's hope for more to help alleviate some of
our concerns for later in the year.
If you'd like
to keep an eye on this year's snowpack, click here
to read the NRCS' snowpack reports.
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