For the first time in several weeks, water content decreased in the snowpack throughout the state. Decreases in water contents ranged from 1 to 2 inches in Aroostook County to up to 4 inches in south coastal Maine. However, snowpack water levels are still above normal throughout the state. Because of the high water contents, even normal amounts of rainfall, coupled with snowmelt from warming temperatures could produce river flooding. The Maine Cooperative Snow Survey conducts surveys at sites across Maine from mid-February until the snowpack is gone from the headwaters of our major rivers.
Cooperators measure snow depth and water content weekly at specific sites.
Contributors to the Maine Cooperative Snow Survey include Federal and State agencies, hydroelectric power and paper companies and Canadian and New Hampshire environmental agencies. The next snow survey will be conducted Tuesday, April 17. Surveys will be conducted every Tuesday until headwaters are substantially free of snow. The Presumpscot River in particular will be monitored closely during this event. Temperatures in the near term are expected to be above normal, with a cooling trend next week to below normal.