AltaBird 3/2/2014

[Tony Crocker]

This is the graph Steenburgh uses, and it's from admin's reference! This year's snowpack is currently about the same as at this time the past 2 seasons and well below the blue line average.

 

[Admin]

This is the graph Steenburgh uses, and it's from admin's reference! This year's snowpack is currently about the same as at this time the past 2 seasons and well below the blue line average.

I hardly consider 86% of normal at Snowbird to be "well below average," and I sincerely doubt that my opinion is in the minority. However, had you actually bothered to read my referencehttp://www.wasatchsnowforecast.com/2014/03/03/all-smiles/ from Wasatch Snow Forecast, you would have seen this immediately below that graph:

Snowbird is one of the worst SNOTEL sites in the Wasatch currently in terms of numbers. Up north, the numbers look spectacular.

Check out Tony Grove Lake:

An additional 6″ of liquid in the past few days have seen TGL jump up to 133% of average. In fact, if they were to not receive any more snow the rest of the season, they’d still have an above average year. It also looks like TGL has seen 26″ of liquid since February 1. Which means they’ve been averaging greater than 0.75″ of liquid per day! Remarkable!

Finally, here is a basin-wide map of current snowpack numbers…

Far northern Wasatch is still well above normal, as are the Western Uintas. Ogden Valley area is now above normal for the first time all season. Central Wasatch, including the Cottonwoods and PC, is catching up to average.

So, the Cottonwood and Park City resorts are approaching average, while places like Snowbasin and Powder Mountain are exceeding average. Not what I'd call a "well below average" winter (your exact words) for Utah thus far.

 

[Admin]

Admin's numbers are snow-water-equivalent numbers, Tony's are snowfall. Those two can diverge, obviously: especially when you have warmer than usual temps like we did.

It turns out the numbers are fairly in sync after all, whether you look at snowfall or water equivalent. On KSL news tonight they report that season to date Alta has recorded 297.5 inches, which is 87% of normal, which is 343.6 inches according to meteorologist Kevin Eubank. So like I said, hardly "way below average" as Mr. Crocker asserts.

And FYI we'll eliminate more of that deficit tomorrow.

 

[Tony Crocker]

21 of those inches at Alta were in early October and were long gone in terms of the winter snowpack (I'm including the 18.5 inches in late October). Alta's November-to-April average is 539 inches. To make that average Alta needs 262 inches in the rest of March plus April. March + April > 262 in 3 years since 1980. 2 of those years were 2008-09 and 2010-11.

I stand corrected on northern Utah. Given the epic February in Jackson, it's not so surprising northern Utah got much of that bounty. It might even be worth giving Powder Mt. a look this Saturday.

 

[Admin]

It might even be worth giving Powder Mt. a look this Saturday.

Keep in mind the high rain/snow lines of recent events, but if you want for me to join you, you need to make that decision now.

 

[EMSC]

I'll take my 145% and 131% of average for the South Platte and Colorado river basins over my way... It's been a good year on this side of the mountains and I finally broke over 20 ski days for the first time since 5 years ago, so wahooo!

 

[Admin]

I'll take my 145% and 131% of average for the South Platte and Colorado river basins over my way... It's been a good year on this side of the mountains and I finally broke over 20 ski days for the first time since 5 years ago, so wahooo!

=D>

 

[jojo_obrien]

It might even be worth giving Powder Mt. a look this Saturday.

Keep in mind the high rain/snow lines of recent events, but if you want for me to join you, you need to make that decision now.

reading the FB posts on the heavy/wet snow at powder mountain and considering it was 37 degrees and raining at Parley's Summit this week and another similar type of storm coming this thursday.......my choice is Alta/Bird for Friday/Sat.....

hitting up snowbasin on sunday w/ the utah symphony ski w/ a musician day ....should be fun

also, the Wailers are performing Sunday @ Pow Mow which should make for a great ski day over there.......

 

[Tony Crocker]

I will make my call for Saturday after seeing the results of the Thursday storm since there is an issue with snow levels. But Powder Mt. is an obvious attraction for Liz' powder learning curve, particularly since we'll be at AltaBird for the next 6-8 days.

 

[Admin]

I will make my call for Saturday after seeing the results of the Thursday storm since there is an issue with snow levels. But Powder Mt. is an obvious attraction for Liz' powder learning curve, particularly since we'll be at AltaBird for the next 6-8 days.

If you wait too long I won't be able to join you for reasons that you already know of.

 

[Tony Crocker]

5 inches new reported at both Alta and Powder Mt. this morning, so Liz and I are probably going to Powder Mt. Saturday despite overall underperformance of the storm.

 

[Admin]

5 inches new reported at both Alta and Powder Mt. this morning, so Liz and I are probably going to Powder Mt. Saturday despite overall underperformance of the storm.

Have fun. It's now too late for me to join you.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Have fun. It's now too late for me to join you.

I grew up in an Italian-American family too -- that's ^^ some serous guilt-trip steeze. :lol: