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Snowpack Levels Increase Drought Conditions

by KREX News Room
by Courtney Griffin

Story Created: Feb 24, 2013 at 9:53 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 24, 2013 at 11:07 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- The recent snow storm is being referred to as 'champagne snow' by the National Weather Service. Meaning, the snow is powdery, cold, and has a low water content.

"Every little bit helps, but we need several more strong storms with a lot of snow in the mountains to help out with the water situation," said Chris Cuoco, senior forecaster.

Officials say the snow pack levels in the mountains are currently 70 to 80 percent of normal, and the valley is 50 to 60 percent of normal, which means... prepare for a drought.

"It is a lot of snow that we are missing when we say that we are 70 percent of normal," said Cuoco.

The most recent snow fall brought six to 12 inches to the mountains and one to three inches throughout the valleys.

"The folks of the Bureau of Reclamation, go out periodically and measure in many places in the mountains. They get a very accurate measurement on exactly how much snow is out there, and the depth of it," said Cuoco.

And though some folks thought winter was coming to an end, officials say, not by a long shot.

"March and April we do get storms that produce snow, especially in the mountains. They're some of our wetter months in the year," said Cuoco.

Officials say there are various types of snow, and the snow the valley needs is a kind that's high in water content.

"We really haven't made up a lot of this snow cover that we need to, to help out with the drought," said Cuoco.

Folks in the valley sure enjoyed the snow on the ground Sunday, as they got creative and made a 6'2" snowman.

"I enjoy building snowmen. This is the third one I've built this year.
Especially with the wet snow, it's a lot easier to build," said David George and Rebecca Hall.

Officials say the wetter the snow, the better it is for the drought.

Officials say though March and April are typically wetter months of the year, this year, they have predicted dry and warm temperatures.

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