After an unseasonably dry and warm start to the water year in basins north of the Snake River Plain, snow is finally starting to accumulate. But the snowpack has a long way to go in most regions of Idaho.

In terms of the water year, which began Oct.1, it’s been pretty dry and warm except in watersheds in the southern part of the state. There have been a few storms, but for the most part it’s been pretty dry, said Erin Whorton, water supply specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho.

“That’s reflected in the snowpack, where we have our record-low snowpack in most of Idaho,” she said.

Conditions are especially concerning in northern Idaho and in the Upper Snake, where basinwide conditions are the lowest observed in SNOTEL history.

North of the Snake River Plain, snowpack is ranging from 42% to 60% of normal, According to NRCS’ latest Water Supply Outlook Report.

Idaho’s southern border is faring better, having a wetter water year than the rest of the state. With the exception of the Bruneau Basin, snowpack in the Southern Snake River basins is near to above normal, ranging from 92% to 110%.

There’s been more precipitation in January, and the storm tracks are still favoring southern Idaho. The Snake River Plain has been a dividing line, where precipitation north of it has been well below normal, she said.

“However, over the next five to 10 days almost all of Idaho should be near or above normal precipitation,” she said.

It’s hard to forecast beyond that because things can change quickly. The caveat is the region is in an El Nino, which is typically warm and dry, she said.

“We’re hopeful we’re going to see the snowpack continue to grow. That’s really important for water supply,” she said.

Idaho is in a snow drought in many locations due to little precipitation and warm conditions causing precipitation to fall as rain. About 45% of Idaho is in drought or abnormally dry, she said.

“Drought areas will likely continue to increase if we continue to have below normal precipitation or snowpack,” she said.

But Idaho doesn’t typically reach peak snowpack until early April, so there’s still time for the snowpack to build, she said.

“We’d like to see more snow come to Idaho in the next few months,” she said.

The good news is a wet water year last winter and an unusually wet late summer provided for good water storage.

“We have really good storage across all reservoirs, with near or above normal storage,” she said.

Mackay Reservoir is the exception due to a necessary drawdown in mid-June of last year for repairs.

“Basically, everywhere else, storage is good,” she said.

The Boise River system has above normal storage at 119% of normal. Total storage in the Upper Snake above Milner Dam is 114% of normal.

For information on specific basins, streams and reservoirs, view the full report online at January Water Supply Outlook Report.