will we break the record?
It’s almost April, and yet the snowstorms show no signs of abating. Nearly another foot of snow was measured in the Tetons today, and the forecast calls for 14 inches by tomorrow night, with still more on the way.
It’s been a winter of nearly continuous powder skiing. Naturally, after we eclipsed the 500-inch mark earlier this month, people began to wonder whether this season would set a new record for snowfall.
The old mark, 577 inches, was established during the mythical winter of 1996-97. It’s important to note that this figure was recorded at the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl, and not the marketing-friendly Raymer Plot, where the measurements tend to be heavier because of wind depositing. (JHMR created the Raymer Plot in 1998.)
So far this winter, 521 inches of snow have fallen at the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl, compared to 562 recorded at Raymer. To set a new record, the Tetons would have to receive more than four feet of snow by closing day, April 6.
Judging by the recent weather pattern, it should be close.
What distinguished 1996-97 from this winter was the early-season snowfall. By the end of December 1996, the Tetons already had received more than 300 inches of snow, including a whopping 225 inches in December alone.
By comparison, this season saw fewer than 200 inches fall before Jan. 1. Since then, we have exceeded the 1997 snowfall totals every month, especially in March.
At a certain point, it’s useless to quibble over numbers. Early-season snowfall figures (before the resort opens) are based on estimates, for example, and we all know quality matters as much as quantity. By all standards, this season has been exceptional.
The winter of ‘96-’97 has come to be known as “Ninety-Sick-Ninety-Heaven” (I believe Ed Bushnell was the first to coin that name).
So far, Two Thousand Great has lived up to its billing.
Explore posts in the same categories: sports, skiing, weather, environment, backcountry, ski resorts, snowboarding
April 7th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
JHMR closed yesterday with a final tally of 566 inches of snowfall recorded at the bottom of Rendezvous Bowl — a foot shy of the record set in 1996-97.
The Raymer total was 605 inches, and this figure became the new mythical benchmark.
Total snowfall for March was 136 inches in the bowl, twice the historical average and a new record for the month.
The snow keeps on falling, with another two inches recorded today and more forecasted for later this week.
The News&Guide has a story:
http://www.jhnews.com/article.php?art_id=2925