Despite recent snowfall, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Integrated Drought Information System reported “extreme” drought conditions across northern Blaine County last Tuesday, indicating the possibility of a drier spring with below-normal runoff.
The drought impact area forms a circular patch from Sun Valley northeast to Trail Creek Summit, according to the NOAA map.
On Tuesday, four local SNOTEL stations showed that the Wood River Valley was experiencing around 88% of normal snowpack levels.
The snow-water equivalent—or the theoretical depth of water that would result from melted snowpack—was listed as 9 inches at the Chocolate Gulch SNOTEL site north of Ketchum, or 93% of normal, on Tuesday. The Hyndman SNOTEL site along the East Fork of the Big Wood River recorded a snow-water equivalent of 7.8 inches, or 88% of normal, and two SNOTEL sites near Galena Summit recorded 9.6 and 12.1 inches, or 80 and 91% of normal, respectively.
Additional snowfall in the Sun Valley area this week could help offset the region’s dryer-than-usual conditions.
Federal monitoring deemed a circular patch from Sun Valley to Trail Creek Summit, indicated in red, was in “extreme drought” last week.
“More heavy snow is in the forecast next weekend, but it’s expected to be an atmospheric river system bringing tropical moisture,” said Steve Stuebner, Idaho forecaster for the website Daily Snow. “That could mean rising snow levels by Friday as well. We will see how it plays out.”
On Monday night, the Galena Summit area picked up an additional 2-4 inches, according to a Sawtooth Avalanche Center report. The surrounding western and northern mountains picked up an additional 3-6 inches of snow overnight, the center said, and the mountains above the Wood River Valley picked up 1-2 inches.
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(3) comments
The more richety rich that have to water their grass 😂 however be sure to take it out on the farmers .
Drought is not just based on the % of precipitation but of water flow in rivers and creeks. The Wood River is slowly losing water flow and warmer up. All caused by building in the flood plain, diverting suface water and pumping ground water. The Wood River is dying. Development is causing it and we will likely not have the political will to do anything about it. Capitalism without rules and regulation.
The ducks were standing up in the middle of the river.
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