Here in the Black Hills, when it comes to seasons of the year – Spring doesn’t necessarily mean Spring. For example – it’s snowing again today. I’m not complaining, mind you – I love the snow, but I’ll sure be ready whenever the warm weather decides that it really is here to stay.

This past winter was either one of the weakest or one of the harshest in recent memory – depending on who you ask. If you look only at the current numbers, however, the snow-pack is lower than it was at this time last year. In fact, current snow levels are even significantly below the 30-year average for this time of year.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NCRS) takes monthly snow-pack measurements and recently released their April numbers. If you would have asked me – I probably would have said we still have more snow on the ground compared to last year, but the numbers don’t lie.

Here are some of the comparisons from a few locations throughout the hills. I thought the “snow water equivalent” numbers were especially interesting.