How Much Does a Snowstorm Help Drought Conditions?

Connecticut saw a major snowstorm today, including thundersnow, blizzard warnings in sections of the state, and overall snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour.  Shelton had a total accumulation of approximately 10 inches.

What does snowfall mean in terms of moisture?  NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) explains that 13 inches of snow typically equals 1 inch of rain.  This can vary, depending on snow’s lightness or sleet-like qualities.1  Therefore, we can assume that Shelton received the equivalent of approximately ¾ inch of rain in today’s storm.

Recently, we shared information about Connecticut’s current drought conditions.  We’ve seen a slight improvement over the last week, but with 76% of the state in Severe Drought and 28% in Extreme Drought,2 we are in desperate need of moisture.  NOAA reports that Connecticut had its fourth driest year, with the last five years having been drier than average – this 5-year period (2013-2016) is the fifth driest in the 1895-2016 record.3  As of November 2016, the Bridgeport area’s rainfall deficit since January 1, 2015 is -12.72”.4

With our recent snowstorm, we’ve seen a modest amount of much-needed moisture added to our region.  Unfortunately, we’ll need considerably more to make up our ongoing deficit.  Keep up your conservation efforts, and keep your fingers crossed for more precipitation!

 

Notes:

1 Severe Weather 101:  Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Weather.  Retrieved from http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/winter/faq/.

2 U.S. Drought Monitor:  Connecticut.  (2017, February 9). Retrieved from http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CT.

3 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Drought – Annual 2016. (2017, January 9).  Retrieved from https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/drought/201613.

4 NBC Connecticut:  Rainfall Deficit Worsens Across Connecticut.  (2016, November 7). Retrieved from http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/weather/stories/Rainfall-Deficit-Worsens-Across-Connecticut-400256121.html.