Weather

Montana starts February with a near-average snowpack

Posted: Feb 6, 2013 9:44 AM by Mike Rawlins - MTN News

GREAT FALLS - Based on the latest numbers from the National Resources Conservation Service, there's no cause for alarm when it comes to this year's snowpack.

Right now, most of Montana's river basins are at or near average thanks to several big snow events over the last few months.

SNOTEL sites in the the Missouri Headwaters, St. Mary and Milk River basins are right at 100% of average for early February. Other basins such as the Headwaters Missouri Mainstem and Missouri Mainstem are near average, but slightly under.

While most river basins have received near average snowfall this season, there is one particular area that is behind. The Sun, Teton and Marias River basin is only at 71% of average. This number isn't alarming, but bares watching in the coming months.

In central Montana, most reservoirs are right at average for this time of the year.

However, the Gibson Reservoir near Augusta is only at 39% of average. This is due in part to increased releases last summer during the severe drought. It'll take significant snow in the coming months for this particular reservoir to return to normal levels.