By Rod Hill on 2010-11-11
I spent Wednesday on Mt. Hood, visiting Meadows, Skibowl and Timberline. Timberline has two lower lifts open and hopes to operate 7-days a week the rest of the season! Snow coverage from the storm earlier this week is solid all the way down to 3,500 feet. If forecast charts hold true, a period of cold snowy winter will hit the mountain next Wednesday or Thursday. Snow levels could drop to 2,000 feet for the first time this fall. 1-2 feet would open all resorts for Thanksgiving weekend!
Hopes are high for a deep snow pack on the mountain this winter. La Nina seasons often dump 100" of above normal snowfall. Interesting to note that the last three La Nina winters did not produce a constant snow pack until mid-December. All three years went on to have lots of snow. 2007-2008 dumped 791" of snow at Timberline Lodge - 200" above normal!
Here are the latest confidence numbers for valley rainfall this winter:
75% Confidence of 3-4" above normal
50% Confidence of 6-7" above normal
La Nina seems to be off to a fast start. Timberline says this is only the 4th time in the last 50 years the resort has opened lower lifts this early. Portland rainfall since September 1st continues to be 150% of normal!
Salem, Astoria, Vancouver, All Records For November!