Comments on: Midweek success & a bit mo’ snow

By: RadioactiveMan

RadioactiveMan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:51:26 +0000

@ Brian:
Thanks!

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:28:27 +0000

@RadioactiveMan

Perhaps this is what you are looking for…these wx stations are certainly prone to technical difficulties, but a good resource nonetheless.

they should be available via the CAIC website, but it might be hidden

http://www.avalanche.org/~wxstns/grandnet/

I found it on CAIC, too

here is the link for the CAIC version- same info, just prettier:

http://avalanche.state.co.us/obs_stns/stns.php

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:18:10 +0000

First of all its Dartmouth College, not university like the video says. Second, the point of the study is not that resorts are reporting more than outlying areas, but that resorts are reporting more on weekend days than on weekdays. The theory is they are shaving a few inches during the week and throwing them on the weekend days to get people up to the mountains, while preserving the correct total amount. The study also shows that this discrepancy has gone down since people started using iPhones to say what was really happening.

By: RadioactiveMan

RadioactiveMan — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:58:03 +0000

Where in CO can you find hourly updates on mountain snow totals, wind direction/speed, temps at various elevations, etc…? NWAC in WA state posted 24/7 hourly updates on all the major ski mountains or drivable mountain passes. Thought CAIC might, but haven’t found it. Invaluable resource for WA, but haven’t found it here. Love the blog Joel, keep it up!

By: skibum

skibum — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:47:10 +0000

One thing about 24 hr totals (the standard for recording snow totals), is the snow settles due to its low (4% – 5% average for colorado) density. While it may have snowed an actual 25″, hour by hour (read: while you were skiing). The 24 hr total might only read 12″ due to settlement(remember its 90% – 97% air). Thats why you always get more faceshots on the storm day than on the next bluebird day. So stock up on warm clothes, low light goggles and have more fun!

By: Joel Gratz

Joel Gratz — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:37:34 +0000

Bill – great question. The pattern change I see coming up after about January 20th would favor more southern storms. Of course, little changes in storm paths can make for big changes in expected snowfall, so even with some southern storms, the Vail area could still see some decent snow. Overall, El Nino typically means more storms like earlier this season (southern Colorado and Front Range favored).

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:09:48 +0000

Hey Joel.

I enjoy your forecasts. With el niño strengthening and the pattern shifting to the south after next week do you see anything positive for the vail area?

By: jgbean

jgbean — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:25:14 +0000

Who’s the hottie in the pictures?

By: Joel Gratz

Joel Gratz — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:19:08 +0000

ryanboudreau – yes, Aspen hasn’t received much snow lately, but the Independence Pass SNOTEL is about 100% of average snow water equivalent, and the Schofield Pass SNOTEL is about 105% of normal. Points to the success of early season storms…

By: Joel Gratz

Joel Gratz — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:11:10 +0000

Mike – Happy to hear the good news…I always like it when a forecast comes together!