By Jim Stanford on January 5, 2009
Updated 1/6 with avalanche crown photos after jump
Time for a snorkel?
Wasn’t long ago that everyone was crying about the lack of snow, and now we’re drowning in it.
Quickly we’ve caught up to last season’s pace. As of this morning, total snowfall at 9,600 feet measured 210 inches, exactly the figure from the same date a year ago.
And we know how that winter turned out: a record 605 inches by closing day at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. 2000-Grreat!
This week last year saw some incredible snowfall, and it appears history is repeating itself. Meteorologist Jim Woodmencey is calling for 21 to 27 inches of snow through Wednesday.
Maybe these big winters come in pairs. Many skiers will recall that the fabled winter of 1996-97 — the snowiest on record until last season — followed a wet year. That’s a key reason why the runoff on the Snake River in June 1997 was the highest in modern history, as reservoirs had filled the previous season.
Weather in the Tetons is notoriously unpredictable, and of course the snow could shut off at any time.
But it’s worth noting that the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has changed its forecast to a La Niña winter, which tend to be cold and snowy. The last time we had La Niña was, um, last winter.
From the NWS:
“WE APPEAR TO BE WITNESSING A VERY LATE AND VERY RAPID TRANSITION TO MORE DEFINITIVE LA NINA CONDITIONS.”
Earlier the Climate Prediction Center had called for a drier winter, leading to some dire predictions for our corner of Wyoming.
2000-Great went out the way it came in, with a fury. Ten feet of snow fell in December (122 inches, to be precise). The all-time record at Jackson Hole was set in December 1996, when a whopping 215 inches fell in Rendezvous Bowl.
With the snow this week temperatures are forecast to rise into the 30s, raising the threat of valley rain. But I’ll take a steady stream of snow over the -20s we had this weekend!
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Here are a couple of photos of the enormous avalanche crowns seen over the weekend with the clear weather. Click to enlarge.
The Buck Mountain slide stretches all the way across to the base of Static Peak.
These first two show the East Face of Buck Mountain and the north side of Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center reported the Buck crown to be nearly 10 feet high.
Photos © Stephen Koch.
JHMR as seen from the north. Wouldn't want to be first into Granite Canyon.
Here’s another look at the Buck crown, shot from the north by Derek Collins.
See you in the springtime, perhaps.
Posted under Ski Resorts, Sports, Weather
Jim, you are right about this year producing unbelievable skiing. I will be out there this afternoon. Thanks for the update.
everybody keeps saying last year was the biggest. we all know it was 96-97. on April 9th the snowfall at rendezvous bowl in ’97 was 584″, in ’08 it was 571″. the raymer plot did not exist in ’97, if it did, what do you think it would say? in ’96 we had opening day tram, top to bottom pow! in ’07 we had top to bottom AV hardpack!
I hear you.
Both were outrageous seasons, and it’s pointless to say which was better. But 605 was the measurement at Raymer, and I’ve gone along with it.
Plus it snowed well into June last year, more so than in ’97, and people were skiing powder throughout April and May and even on June 10.
Jimbo Collins, I might be heading out soon from the city….you guided me and Q….we must do it again crazy man. you game?
you’ve got a point Jim
but i guess i’m only focusing on the village. from open to close 96-97 takes it. just ask Benny Wilson!