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Winter Storms Push Oregon Snowpack Back Up To Near Normal Levels

USDA

A series of winter storms has made traveling dicey in parts of the northwest over the past week. But the snow has helped improve the outlook for the region’s water supply this summer.

Each winter, mountains store up moisture that falls in the form of snow. As the weather warms up, the snow melts and becomes water that fills rivers in the summer. It’s an especially important cycle for farmers, who rely on ample stream flows to provide water for their crops and livestock.

But if the winter snow comes as rain instead, the snowpack doesn’t build up. At the beginning of January, Oregon’s snowpack was anemic, at around 25 percent of normal for much of northwest Oregon.

But less than three weeks later, and the outlook has greatly improved. Most of the state’s snow levels are at 85 percent of normal or higher.

Chris Lehman has been reporting on Oregon issues since 2006. He joined the KLCC news department in December 2018 and became News Director in March 2023. Chris was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and graduated from Temple University with a degree in journalism. His public broadcasting career includes stops in Louisiana and Illinois. Chris has filed for national programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.”
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