Snow-water equivalents improved slightly over the past week in the Wind River Basin, according to the weekly snowpack update from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The local SWE sat at 86 percent of median on Tuesday, up from 85 percent of median last week – and the week before.
Last year at this time the SWE in the Wind River Basin was 84 percent of median.
It was 103 percent of median on April 12, 2020.
The statewide average SWE was up this week as well, rising to 78 percent of median, according to the report.
Forecast
NRCS hydrologist Jim Fahey shared a map showing up to 1.75 inches of precipitation – or 16 inches of snow – could fall in the highest portions of the Wind River Mountains over the coming week.
Less precipitation is expected at lower elevations, with none forecast for the center of the Wind River Basin.
Local temperatures will remain below normal through early next week, Fahey said, and although they may rise to “near to above normal” by the middle of next week, he anticipates that “snowmelt will be very limited at elevations above 8,000 feet during the next seven days.”