Snowy Start for the Northwest's Winter Season

A substantially above-average amount of snow has fallen in the Northwest mountains this autumn:  enough to warm the cold hearts of Northwest skiers.

Let me begin by showing you the snow-laden summit of Crystal Mountain late Saturday afternoon (see below).  A very wintry scene!

The lower-elevation Crystal Mountain "Snow Stake" confirms the white bounty.

How much above normal is the current snowfall?  Please sit down before reading further (below).

In Washington State, the snowpack ranges from 188% of normal to 1775% of normal.

Not impressed yet?  Northeast Oregon is over TWO THOUSAND PERCENT of normal.

Call the Seattle Times ClimateLab!  You know they would have done a story if it had been below normal 😈.

The truth is that early in the season, when totals are typically low,  you can get these crazy percentiles.   Still impressive, though.

The current map of the water equivalent in the current snowpack (called SWE) is shown below.  Much more than last year, by the way.

What about the forecast for the next few days?  

You guessed it:  MORE SNOW!  As shown by the UW model prediction, the North Cascades and the mountains of southwest BC will be hit hard.  Several feet at some higher elevation locations.

La Nina years are generally good for snow and we are seeing some hints of La Nina weather patterns during the past weeks.   

If you really want to get excited, check out the European Center's extended (46-day) snow-total forecasts (see below).  Yards of snow in some places.   A good early start.  I am optimistic about skiing over the Christmas holidays.

I will be waxing my skis during the next few weeks...