Snowpack nearly normal
<p>Geese, ducks and seagulls linger on the shoreline Thursday of the Spokane River near North Idaho College. Despite the unusually warm and dry winter, the mountain snowpack is currently at 86 percent of average for the area.</p>
Don't let the bare ground down here deceive you too much about conditions up above.
Snowpack in the mountains isn't as bad as you may expect.
North Idaho's mountains had 84 percent of average snowpack on Jan. 1, according to a report expected to be released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service this week.
"Based on the current snowpack and La Nina conditions expected, these mountains should be in good shape through the winter making water users happy in the spring," the report states.
"While any range of weather conditions are possible throughout the rest of the winter, the Panhandle region is leaning toward having an adequate summer water supply season even though it has seemed dry so far."
Snowpack in North Idaho ranges from 66 percent of average in the St. Joe to 95 percent of average in the Moyie and Priest River drainages. In southern Idaho, most levels hover 50 percent of average and are as low as 30 percent.
Reservoirs in North Idaho are about 40 percent of capacity and the rivers are expected to run between 80 and 90 percent of average from April through July, the report states.
"I hope (the report's outlook) lifts some spirits," said Julie Koeberle of the NRCS. "A few good storms are what is saving northern Idaho. The rest of Idaho missed those."
Snowpack is critical for recreation and other water uses such as irrigation and hydropower later in the year.
Statewide, Idaho, with more than half the winter still to come, is waiting for the "one-two punch" - cold temperatures combined with Pacific moisture - to improve the snowpack and water supply outlook.
"Long-term climate forecasts still cite La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean and predict above-average precipitation for the coming months," the report states.