Are you ready for the rebirth of spring or do you love the cold, peacefulness of winter? We may not know how long winter will last, but we do know that eventually all winter snow stops falling and melts before the grass turns green again. Have you ever considered just how the snow melts and where the melted snow goes? It may seem obvious. When temperatures rise, the snow turns to water and is absorbed into the grass following the flow of groundwater through your yard into the river. However, not all surfaces soak up water like the grass. Snowmelt flows off impervious surfaces like asphalt and rooftops and into storm drains. Not all snow melts. On sunny, windy, or dry days, the energy of the sun can convert solid snow directly into water vapor – a disappearing act without forming puddles! This process is called sublimation. If the ground is still frozen or saturated, the melted snow cannot be absorbed, leading to slush and potential flooding in low-lying areas. That’s why, even in the winter, it is important to keep storm drains clear of trash, leaves, and branches. Once spring appears, consider updating your landscaping and switching any hard surfaces to permeable materials to prevent flooding and keep our watershed healthy.