By Rod Hill on 2015-02-10
The latest winter storm in Boston, leaves the city with 77 inches of total snowfall this winter, equaling the total at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort! That's right, the city of Boston and Mt. Hood Meadows have each seen 77 inches of total snowfall this winter season. The photo of snow plows in Boston shows the difficulty of a winter season with nearly 300% of normal snowfall.
Mt. Hood Meadows is celebrating 6 inches plus of new snow over the past 24 hours. The resort is open and making the most of what has been a poor year for snow so far. The Mt. Hood snowpack is currently 32% of normal with a depth of 32 inches at the test site.
The amount of snow on the ground at Mt. Hood resorts is nearly identical to February of 2005, which is the last winter season on the mountain to finish below 50% of normal snowpack. Current forecast models show lower snow levels next week and the promise of new snow. However, at this point it would take a miracle March and April to end the snow season any where close to normal.
Our region has been blessed to see only one snow season finish less than 50% or normal, dating back to the year 2000. Unless snow patterns change in a hurry, this winter season will become the second. Mt. Hood resorts are open, grooming and making the most of the 2-4 feet of snow on the slopes. The good news is that driving conditions are great and temperatures are pleasant to enjoy the beauty of the Cascades.
Meteorologist Rod Hill
January finishes warm, but not close to record