Wet, cool April slowed snowpack melt

The Hungry Horse News reports that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Bozeman reports that the dramatic change from the warm and dry weather during the latter half of March to cool wet weather in April slowed snow melt in the mountains and even added snowpack in places. Across Montana, all but one major basin gained snowpack. According to NRCS data, statewide snowpack rose 14 percent from April 1 to May 1. Overall, the increased snowfall during April helped streamflow prospects, increasing from 2 to 21 percent. Late April into May is typically the time when snowmelt and streamflows peak in Northwest Montana. Read the full article here.