Snowpack as a percent of average keeps climbing across the state. This is a reflection of the cool temperatures delaying runoff. This week’s storm added to the impressive numbers — statewide snowpack is 155% of average.
On Wednesday at the combined Flood and Water Availability Task Forces meeting, Mike Gillespie from the NRCS, cautioned those present not to pay a whole lot of attention to the percent of average snowpack. He said that at this time of year the numbers are skewed by past melt-outs. He said that he looks at the current peak as a percent of average peak number. For example, the South Platte basin’s current peak as a percent of average peak is 146%.
Click here for the snowpack time series graphs for Colorado from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.