February 11, 2013 - To date, calendar year 2013 precipitation has
been fairly typical with amounts about normal plus or minus up to an
inch. The Catskill Region of New York and northeast Pennsylvania have
been a bit drier averaging around 1 1/2 inches below normal.
Likewise, over the past 90 days, precipitation has been near normal
plus or minus up to an inch or so.
Current (February 11) streamflow data from the U.S. Geological
Survey shows that streamflows are normal to above normal. Groundwater
levels are near or above normal.
The Northeast Blizzard of 2013 largely missed the Mid Atlantic
Region bringing, relatively speaking, only small amounts of snow of
under a foot to the north and east. Here, in south-central New York,
northeast Pennsylvania, and the northern half of New Jersey, snow
depths are running 4 to 10 inches. Elsewhere, where snow is on the
ground, depths are only running 1 to 2 inches. Snow water equivalent,
or the amount of water that will be released from the snow when it
melts, is one half to 1 1/2 inches in south-central New York, the
northern half of Pennsylvania, and the northern half of New Jersey.
Amounts are considerably less elsewhere. For now, this snow water
equivalent, where it is at its' highest, is unlikely to add
significantly to any stream and/or river rises. This, as recently
seen in southern New England, can change quickly.
The weather outlook through most of the rest of February calls for
near or above average precipitation along with temperatures near or
below normal. The Climate Prediction Center's 30 day outlook for
February calls for near average precipitation and temperatures. The
90 day outlook for February through April calls for near average
precipitation and above average temperatures.
The outlook for water resources looks very good. There are no areas
showing signs of significant dryness and most areas are, in fact,
quite wet. With the current snowpack (though not particularly
significant at this time) along with the expectation of near or even
above average precipitation, water resources and supplies are expected
to remain abundant for the next several weeks.
In summary, the northern portion of the MARFC service area has
abundant water resources and water supplies. These water resources
are likely to increase in the upcoming weeks. With generally near or
above normal precipitation expected, water resources should remain
abundant and no water shortages are expected for the next several
weeks.
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