Montana snowpack declines for second month in a row

Snowpack readings at the end of February declined again slightly for the second month in a row across Montana.

As of March 1, snowpack levels were 93 percent of normal statewide and 85 percent of last year, according to snow survey data from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The dip in February was three percentage points, while January dropped seven percent. According to NRCS, snowfall was consistent during February, tracking close to normal. Some areas received a modest increase in snow water equivalent, but most saw a slight decrease.

“Near normal snowpack is a good sign this time of year because at this point we are typically 80 percent complete with the normal snow accumulation season,” Brian Domonkos, NRCS water supply specialist, said.

The Milk River Basin had the highest snowpack levels in the state on March 1 at 119 percent of median, while the Bitterroot is the lowest in the state at 85 percent of median. The Flathead River Basin was 94 percent of median and 84 percent of last year with a drop of three percent.

According to Domonkos, it was this point last year when the Lower Yellowstone River basins experienced an abrupt change in weather patterns, going from well above average snowpack in late February to melting in mid-March, which is as much as a month and a half early.

“Two main factors contributed to the early deficient runoff-record, high temperatures and the strong warm winds that descended over the Big Horn Mountains,” Domonkos said. “Thankfully, this same weather pattern does not seem to be setting up this year.”

Given the current snowpack in place and near normal forecasted future precipitation and temperatures, streamflows are predicted to be near to slightly below average this runoff season.

Detailed snowpack information and streamflow forecasts are available at ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov.