By Rod Hill on 2011-03-01
Here is the most amazing headline regarding snow. Saddle Mountain, just higher than 3,000' in the Coast Range had 20" of snow on the ground a week ago and the Coast Range snowpack was 46% or normal. Today the reporting site has 82" of snow on the ground and the Coast Range snowpack is more than 100% of normal. You do not see the Coast Range receive 60" of snow in one week very often! The numbers on Mt. Hood are also impressive. Today's snow survey measured 129" on the ground. The snow would melt into 41" of water. The Mt. Hood snowpack is still only 80% of normal. Remember the snowpack was way down in January and the first two weeks of February. Average snow water equivalency by May 1st is 65" of water in the snow. Here is a listing of storm snowfall:
Timberline Lodge: 32"
Government Camp: 22"
Washougal, Wa. 1,400' 21"
Santiam Pass 19"
Sandy 18"
Scappoose 1,000' 12"
Brush Prairie 1,400' 11"
Wilson River Summit 10"
Estacada 1,000' 10"
Stevenson, Wa. 9"
Forest Grove 1,200' 8"
Hood River 8"
St. Helens 4"
Camas, Prune Hill 3"
Forest Grove 3"
Battle Ground 2"
Longview 2"
_____________________________________________________
The above snow report from Sunday night and Monday represents accumulating snow on average down to 500 feet. Areas near 500 feet to receive snow were mostly areas near the Cascades foothills and the Coast Range. Monday's heavy precipitation rates actually pulled down cold air from aloft, lowering the snow levels and dumping heavy snow near 1,000 feet. If the moisture would have been lighter, Monday's snow level would have likely been closer to 1,200 - 1,500 feet. A perfect example of how one variable can alter our weather and make a huge difference!
First Wet Feb. In More Than 10 Years!