The maximum temperatures during the past week are consistent with the average maximums from mid May to early June. The lowest maximum temperature observed over the past 7 days is 70ºF, consistent with the average high on May 10. The highest, 79ºF, is consistent with the average high on June 5th.
Spring is a period of great weather variability so swings from one extreme to another are not unusual. However, the past week blows everything previously observed completely out of the water. For the March 14-20 period, we have averaged 60.9ºF, a full 4ºF warmer than the next highest March 14-20 period in 1910.
Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers |
Source: NOAA Regional Climate Centers |
The impact of this warmth on the snowpack is staggering. Significant losses in snowpack water equivalent have been observed at many SNOTELs. Provided below are examples from Ben Lomond Trail (down 7 inches), Farmington Canyon (down 9 inches), and Mill-D North (Big Cottonwood Canyon, down 5 inches).
Source: Colorado Basin River Forecast Center |
If you want a better story, you need to find a SNOTEL that is high and protected from the sun. One example is Snowbird, where snowpack water equivalent has remained steady, illustrating the value of high-altitude north-facing terrain.
Source: Colorado Basin River Forecast Center |
Thus, this is indeed like April. Good skiing will require a good dumpage and we're just going to have to wait and see if that happens and how quickly things add up. The snow we do get is likely to be higher density, which is probably what we want at this stage.
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