Late October 2024 saw moderate snowfall mostly in northern regions. Early November weather is predicted to continue active. Snowfall totals in italics are estimates from Open Snow California: Recent snowfall: Palisades 8,000 9 inches, Mammoth 4. A few more inches are predicted this weekend, not much after that. Pacific Northwest: October snowfall: Hood Meadows 16 … Continue reading 2024-25 Ski Season Progress Report as of October 31, 2024→
La Nina persisted for 3 ski seasons into early 2023 but two well known indices have diverged often since summer 2022. The 2023-24 El Nino topped out at +2.0 by ONI but only +1.1 by MEI. That El Nino has weakened but as of MJJ 2024 the ONI is still +0.2, though the MEI is … Continue reading El Nino/La Nina Defined and Ski Areas Favored by El Nino (as of 2024)→
FirstTracksOnline was founded in 1994 by Marc Guido, who grew up in New England and patrolled at Jay Peak for many years. In 2005 he moved to the skier’s Promised Land of Utah, where he enjoys his Alta season pass (picture above). Tony Crocker, based in Glendale, California, wrote the October 1995 Powder Magazine cover … Continue reading Welcome!→
The following major weather patterns affected the 2022-23 ski season. Late October through November: This was the driest November since 2007. Regions with snow mostly had some rain mix as well. Late October snowfall in northern regions mostly melted out. First week of December: A storm track in northern regions brought moderate snow at higher … Continue reading 2023-24 Ski Season Summary→
2023-24 suffered the second driest overall November/December in over 50 years of records but made up most of that deficit from January to mid-March. When the snow came it was stronger in the El Nino favored southern regions. Northern regions were overall below average and only Utah finished the season much above average. April snowfall … Continue reading 2023-24 Ski Season Analysis as of May 17, 2024→
The first half of March brought at least above average snow to all regions, with western North America collectively reaching 96% of normal by March 16. This implies about 130% of normal from January 1 – March 16. Second half of March snowfall was above average in southern regions and mostly below average farther north. … Continue reading 2023-24 Ski Season Progress Report as of April 13, 2024→
During the first week of February major storms hit California, Utah and the Southwest. Second half of February snowfall was mainly in the northern regions. The first half of March brought at least above average snow to all regions, with western North America collectively reaching 96% of normal by March 16. This implies about 130% … Continue reading 2023-24 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 31, 2024→
Second half of January snowfall was just slightly below normal but it was unseasonably warm and the Northwest and British Columbia were hit by rain the last few days of the month. During the first week of February major storms hit California, Utah and the Southwest. Second half of February snowfall was mainly in the … Continue reading 2023-24 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 16, 2024→
