As we recently reported, Perry saw above normal precipitation levels in February for the first month in a long time.  But is the snow melting and rain we’ve had enough to help improve the drought conditions?  State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says not really, at least not yet.

“It might be able to absorb some of that moisture, probably not all that much of it.  Most will probably just run off, in fact with the relatively slow rate of  melting we’ve had a lot of it will end up evaporating or running off, either one” says Hillaker.

Fortunately, Hillaker says the frozen ground isn’t too deep right now so things should start turning up soon .

There’s not really all that much frost in the ground right now, so there’s a lot of frost to overcome so to speak.  Typically, I guess you wouldn’t expect much of this moisture to actually be able to work its way into the soil this time of year, even with the mild weather we have coming up” adds Hillaker.

Hillaker says it’s hard to know how this spring will shake out and if it will be enough to relieve the drought conditions.