While the east coast has been contending with heavy snow this winter, the Pacific Northwest mountains are seriously in need of snow. I was curious if this winter has been unique in its lack of snowpack, so I went looking for the history. I chose to look at data from Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. It looks like 2005 and 1981 had similar snowpack measurements on Feb. 1 of those years as we do now. Even if it's not unprecedented, the lack of snow is worrying.
Historical Snow Depths on Feb. 1 at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic Nat'l Park
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Snails, fish, insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located.
Cliff Mass suggests that it's very likely the end of winter (such as it was) here in the PNW. In discussing the low snowpack, he says "I am not optimistic for the remainder of this year and virtually every tool at my disposal suggests that the preternatural warmth will continue."
There are bare meadows behind the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Any precipitation lately has been in the form of rain instead of snow.
Webcam on Hurricane Ridge visitor center, Feb. 11, 2015
What does a normal snowpack look like?
Snow in Hurricane Ridge parking lot on March 19, 2012
OceanDiver posted this map in a recent bucket that shows the snowpack across the entire west.
I understand if our Bucketeer friends to the east feel absolutely no sympathy for our snowless conditions. I do wish that you could ship some of the frozen stuff out here to us.
Your turn! Let us know what you are seeing in your part of the world.
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