News – Sheridan Media
New snowpack numbers are in and although the higher elevation numbers in Sheridan County didn’t change much, the lower elevation mountain numbers are becoming a concern.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, as of April 1st, the Tongue River Drainage area is at 116% of the 30-year average, and is at 148% compared to one year ago.
The Clear Creek Drainage is at 121% and 133% respectively, while the Powder River Drainage area is at 121% of its 30-year average.
Andrew Cassiday is the District Conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
He says one area of concern is in the Tie Creek area which feeds into the Tongue River.
Of all the snowpack reporting stations his department monitors, Tie Creek is the lowest elevation-wise and the recent snowpack report says that area is at 186% of its 30-year average and is at 354% compared to this time last year.
He adds with the way the weather patterns have been the last few weeks, the warm up needs to start happening, but not too fast, or else the flood risk increases.
Andrew Cassiday
“Often that comes off earlier in the year as we start to warm up for spring, but we’ve just stayed cold so far and that’s of course of concern depending on how that comes off when it melts. I don’t think we are very far above average in the mountains, but the lower elevation snow does give me some concern.”
The National Weather Service in Billings, Montana is forecasting high temperatures in the mid to upper 60’s for the early part of next week beginning Sunday (April 9th) in the Sheridan area.
The high temperature forecast for the higher elevations in Sheridan County, is in the middle 50’s.
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Last modified: April 5, 2023