Snowmelt forecast receives boost

In March, the Bureau of Reclamation issued a statement that showed the forecasted runoff from April through July as only 64 percent of the 30-year average - 350,000 acre-feet of the average 548,300. But what a difference a few weeks can make.

Though the abundance of gray skies, along with cold rains and snows, can make life a bit miserable and have people longing for consistently sunny skies, it certainly has a measurable impact. In addition to seeing some more green around town and in the hills, the Bureau of Reclamation is now forecast runoff for Boysen at 550,000 acre-feet, 100-plus percent over the 30-year average.

The April precipitation as of the 19th, according to the Bureau, was 1.16 inches, and annual precipitation was 3.13 inches. Information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows snowfalls in the area from, April 16-19, of: Owl Creek Snotel - 9 inches; Thermopolis - 2.7 inches; and 9 Northeast Thermopolis - 0.5 inches.

According to the National Weather Service, precipitation for the Thermopolis area in April includes .11 inches on the 15th, .78 inches on the 19th, .06 inches on the 20th, .74 inches on the 26th, .72 inches on the 27th and .05 inches on the 28th. The total is 2.46 inches, a full inch above the norm.

It's important to note the NWS information does contain missing data.

The combined March and April precipitation was 5.84 inches, 3.51 over the norm.