The MesoWest group at the University of Utah has received real-time weather data from the Alta-Collins site since 1997 (special thanks to everyone at Alta who makes this possible!). Since then, the average Christmas morning snow depth is 63", with a minimum of 44" in 2002 and a maximum of 104" last year.
Those are fairly healthy early season numbers. The Christmas snowpack at Alta is one of the surest bets in North America. This is especially true in an era with snowmaking and grooming (although most people ski Alta for other reasons).
Where do things stand this year? The Alta-Collins snowdepth sensor has not been reporting reliably the past couple of weeks, but the ski report presently puts the base at 32".
I've been looking at the medium range forecast guidance and think that we will be taking a run at the lowest Christmas morning snowdepth since 1997. We might see a few flakes at times through tomorrow, but it's not going to add up to much. Then it looks dry for a few days. While we can't bank on it, the long-range forecast guidance is not suggesting a major pattern change before Christmas. I can't rule out a storm, but the odds are low. We will have to hope that Mother Nature doesn't listen to the models (sometimes she doesn't) and punches a storm into Utah if we're to get to even 40" by Christmas morning. Otherwise, it could be tough sledding and skiing for Santa.
Doctor Jim, Still better than 76-77. There was a forest fire going on in December! (granted slow burn). If this continues storm chasing is not out of the question, that 12" at Brian Head sounds good A tour to Cedar breaks N.M. would be fun. Desperate people do desperate things
ReplyDeleteIndeed, 76-77 is a season that will live in infamy. At some point, I'll dig up some data from that season, but it's pre-SNOTEL and other easily accessible snowpack datasets.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jim. Thanks for putting what we are seeing into stark historical perspective. I know I'll read about it here when there is the first glimmer of good news!
ReplyDeleteI came here looking for some glimmer of hope. Alas, I didn't find any. Dammit Jim, you're a weather guy...can't you do something?! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMarc-We have a lever we can pull, but we get in all kinds of trouble when we pull it. In this case, however, it might be worth it...
ReplyDeleteJim, you may not have pulled it but we somehow scored today anyway:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9891
Now go pull it...time's a wastin'...
Sweet! Good to see somebody having fun. Another friend commented that backside was good today and worth the few core shots.
ReplyDeleteNot seeing much hope in the forecast for the next week. Thus, you are fortunate to get your fix.