Not quite ready for summer

As yet another storm rolls into Western Nevada, we're looking at the continuation of a long wet spring.

But we can't argue with the results. With snow on Saturday and up to a quarter inch of additional moisture expected this week, we know there will be enough water for the first half of irrigation season.

As of Monday, the basin was at 131 percent of average snow-water equivalent, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It's not that so much snow fell in the mountains, but that so little has melted off.

Even though precipitation has been about average for the Carson Basin, a cool spring has kept that moisture locked up for longer than usual.

That snowpack will reduce the number of campers taking to the Sierra for this weekend's Memorial Day holiday. The forest service issued a list of campgrounds and trails that will be closed due to the presence of snow in the mountains.

And one Sierra denizen who has been wandering down to warmer elevations in search of food has already knocked on a few doors.

This long spring will eventually end in summer, when warmer temperatures will send that moisture tumbling down into the river, where Valley agriculturists will use it to keep their fields green.

In the meantime, we've no choice but to think of all the good things the rain brings, even while it keeps us stuck inside.