National Climatic Data Center, 14 October 2004

• Average annual precipitation for Pocatello Regional Airport is 12.58 inches
• Drought began in 1999 due to below-normal precipitation
• This is the first year since 1999 that the airport weather station has been near normal for the October-September water year (WY)
• As of September 27, the airport has received 11.71 inches for the 2004 WY, 93.1% of normal
• 1999 WY total was 11.79 inches, 93.7% of normal
• 2000 WY was 62.1 % of normal
• 2001 WY was 55.9% of normal
• 2002 WY was 54.9% of normal -- the worst year since the drought began in 1999
• 2003 WY was 56.2% of normal
• Precipitation deficit since drought began in 1999 is 20.23 inches, nearly twice the normal annual precipitation
  • This deficit shows up in the area's reservoirs. As of September 27, American Falls was at 3% of normal, Jackson Lake at 10% and Palisades at 11%. More reservoir information can be found at:
    • http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/burtea.cfm
    • http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/wsf/reservoir/resv-graph.html