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Could you help me understand the snow-pack graph better? Does that say the state has 66% of the snow that it should have as of today, or does it say that we are at 66% so far which may or may not be normal for this time of year? How is it calculated/measured? When does our snowpack stop growing and start shrinking? Thanks, Rob
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The snowpack graphs are calculated for the average amount of snowpack should have as of TODAY, so your first guess was right. The data is calculated on past averages going back to 30 years. Some sites don't go back that far (that haven't been around 30 years yet) but the averages are still for each individual place and relates to the water content of the snow.
How is it calculated or measured? Just like any other average you add up and divide by the number of days you are using.
The snowpack begins to shrink around April 1st.
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman and Dan Pope.
