Mark Losleben - CU INSTAAR Research Staff
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Mark Losleben - CU INSTAAR Research Staff |
The following snowpack conditions on Niwot Ridge have been reported by Mark Losleben for January 2004. Select here for more information about these snowpack reports
Greetings!
Here is the snowpack report from C1, for conditions as they were on 30 January 2004, followed by Colorado statewide conditions, and relative snowpack conditions for the western US.
C1, and the South Platte basin, probably experienced more wind than snow this past month (certainly this past week!). However, the snowpack did increase at C1 to 60% (4.813 inches SWE) from 51% a month ago. This is the third lowest January snowpack in 22 years; 2002 and 1995 were lower.
The South Platte basin snowpack dropped, however, from 87% last month to 63% today. Its cummulative winter precipitation remained fairly constant, though (65% last month and 67% today).
The NRCS Snotel network reports show that Colorado as a whole continues the pattern that has existed so far this winter; the southwest snowpack is normal or above, but the northern part of the state is below normal. The upper Rio Grande and Gunnison basins lead with 101% of average snowpack, and the South Platte basin has the least with 63%. The San Miguel, Animas, Dolores, SanJuan basins are doing well with 99%. Both this basin complex and the Upper Rio Grande have increased their snowpack since last month (5% and 10% respectively), whereas the S. Platte has lost snowpack. Unlike in recent past years, the proportion of winter precipitation that is sequestered in the snowpack is greater than average, in general.
This means that what precipitaion we are recieving is tending to build up the snowpack for gradual release (barring a hot spell of severe rain-on-snow events) in the spring and through the summer.
The western US snowpack continues to show the same pattern since the beginning of this winter; average to above in the north and Pacific Northwest, and below average in the southwest. However, snowpacks in southern NM and Arizona have increased about 25% to around 50% of average this month. The Oregon Cascade region appears have the highest snowpack with values in the 120 to 135% range. Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, and Nevada are generally all near or above average as well. Utah snowpack is also quite healthy with the exception of the southern portion, and Wyoming is variable with basin reports of 71 to 101%.
How does this relate to the ENSO condition? The most recent NOAA report (Jan 8, 2004) states the Nino 3.4 region is near neutral, and it is forecasted to stay about that way through March, at which time the forecasts are uncertain. So, it does not appear that El Nino or La Nina conditions will drive this winters weather. We will just see what comes this next month. At present, there is indication that the next week or more, will see a return of cold, less wind, and more snow, at least for the C1/Front Range area.
Until next month, Cheers! Mark
This is a quick update of the snowpack conditions at C1, because there was
significant snowfall on January 31, 2004, the day after my recent report.
According to NCRS Snotel data, the Jan 31 snowfall increased the C1 snowpack
by 7%, to end the month at 64%, and the South Platte snowpack increased 2%
for a month end value of 65%.
This same storm also hit southwest Colorado, increasing the
snowpack of the Upper Rio Grande by 3%, placing this basin clearly in the
states top spot with 104% of average. The San Miguel, Animas, Dolores,
San Juan group also increased 3% to finish the month with 102%.
More snow is on the way!
Cheers! Mark
Sno Tel Data Niwot Ridge, C-1
Snow Water Content (inches)
Values are for the end of given month
except as noted for May and June
Season Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
81/82 4.75 10.5 11.75 15.5 14.9 12.0 (17th)
82/83 3.63 4.75 12.75 17 11.75 (30th)
83/84 12.6 13.25 15 18.9 20.75
84/85 3.75 6.25 8.5 10.25 8.75
85/86 6.5 7.5 14 15.38 17.5
86/87 6.25 8.75 11.25 12.75 11.75
87/88 6.5 9.1 12.4 15.75 14.5
88/89 5.5 7.6 11 10.25 5.6
89/90 6.5 9.25 10.75 16.1 16.5
90/91 3 5 7.1 9.38 10
91/92 6.65 6.75 8.5 12.25 10.25
92/93 5.75 6.75 10.75 14 15.875
93/94 7.125 9.063 12.25 13.25 13.25 2.5 (18th)
94/95 2.625 3.925 7.0 10.125 16.75 17.0 (22nd) 12.375(13th) 19.75(30th)
95/96 7.50 12.00 17.5 20.375 18.75 6.125 (15th)
96/97 8.75 12.625 15.125 14.625 20.375 18.0 (15th)
97/98 7.0625 10.0 10.125 12.875 17.25 12.875 (15th)
98/99 3.25 6.625 8.375 9.125 14.125 14.25 (15th)
99/2000 3.5 7.5 10.625 12.375 7.625
00/2001 4.375 5.375 7.125 10.00 9.125
01/2002 2.625 4.25 6.19 7.563 0.0
02/2003 4.00 5.25 8.5 16.75 14.375 11.44 (15th)
03/2004 2.75 4.813
Average 5.432 7.824 10.389 13.197 13.409