Despite our numbers around here being technically "lower" than they were last year, this winter just has a different and better feel to it. Several long dry patches intercut with periods of a lot of moisture, and no really warm temperatures. Even at this point last year we were seeing 40-45 degree days pretty routinely, so the snowpack, while high to this point, never really got cold enough to set up in a way that boded well for summer. It never got cold enough to become resistant to the first real heat or rain, so once it did start warming up for real in April it all melted in a hurry. Unless something changes dramatically in the next 2 months, I think SW Montana and the Yellowstone area should be in shape for an average water year.

For what it's worth, it's snowing as I type this and my local ski hill has gotten 30" of snow in the past week, with more to come...