December 18, 2019: Weather & Snowpack Summary, Avy Links, Happy Holidays
Greetings from Silverton,
In our Senator Beck Study Basin at Swamp Angel Study Area (11,060′) on Red Mt Pass we have received 7.4″ of precipitation since the start of the snow season which really started ramping up latter November. For the water year we are near average precipitation thus far (9″ vs 9.4″ average). The SNOTEL Basin precipitation plots are showing similar information. A good start to the winter in terms of snowpack, compared to last year you may recall Southern Colorado struggled through Christmas with 2/3 normal snowpack, but came back with a vengeance starting January onward. Its nice not playing catch up so far. Please see SNOTEL plots below.
A big thank you to all of the folks who donated to Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies on Colorado Gives Day, and on any day these past couple months. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and as always will be used with prudence to collect unique high elevation data in our headwaters throughout Colorado.
Forecast: Through about December 22 the forecast is not looking too exciting, but closer to Christmas the models are agreeing well for some significant precipitation. Early next week a trough begins to dig in over the West Coast and shortly after we’ll start seeing southwesterly flow. Precipitation chances start increasing particularly for the San Juans starting on Tuesday. After this system rolls through models encouragingly show another shortwave trough out west which could translate to an active period for Colorado. Please see weather forecast images below.
Snow School for Water Professionals: A (another) reminder, we are offering "Snow School for Water Professionals" again this February 20 - 22 2019 in Silverton, CO. Using a mixture of classroom discussion and hands-on field sessions, this workshop is designed to enhance understanding of snowpack processes, snowpack monitoring, and snowpack data. Please see details on our website and don't hesitate to contact me for more information.
Avalanche Safety: A few days ago the Colorado Sun reported on an in-bounds skier getting buried (he survived) at Steamboat, a rare occurrence. As the CAIC forecasters sometimes like to say, "persistent weak layers in the snowpack are persistent", add significant snow and wind loading and conditions can turn dangerous. Usually about this time of year I am inclined to provide avalanche information and training links for folks excited to get out and play in the mountains. The saddening news about Colorado's first avalanche death of the season at Cameron Pass should remind and encourage folks to get training, be prepared, and stay informed. Below are just a few links of the many that are worth checking out:
Everybody who travels in snowy mountains needs to know about avalanches. The place to start is with a free Know Before You Go avalanche awareness program. These presentations take place regularly in mountain communities, so keep an eye out. The website is loaded with great information as well. https://kbyg.org
The AvalancheGuys YouTube channel from Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, based in Montana, is an excellent resource for snowpack assessment how to videos, avalanche discussions, and recorded lectures from Professional Development Workshops. You don’t have to live in Montana to get something out of this resource. https://www.youtube.com/user/AvalancheGuys
The American Avalanche Association (A3) helps keep people safe in avalanche country through education, outreach and publication; by setting proficiency and guidelines for professional and recreational courses, supporting regional Snow and Avalanche Workshops, and producing ‘The Avalanche Review’ and ‘The Snowy Torrents’. Everybody interested in snow should consider becoming an A3 Member to support and stay up to date with the avalanche industry.
https://www.americanavalancheassociation.org
SnowPilot is a free software platform to record and view snow profiles from across the world. By using this resource, you can keep track of the snowpack in your home mountains or in a region you plan to visit. By recording your snowpits you will be contributing to a database of snow and avalanche information. https://snowpilot.org
Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) should be bookmarked on your computer. The website not only has avalanche info but tons of weather station data, forecast models, and education links.
Silverton Avalanche School: http://avyschool.com/
Avalanche.org tutorial: https://avalanche.org/avalanche-tutorial/get-the-forecast/
The American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE) just released some new videos online on how to practice avalanche rescue for both skiers and snowmobiles:
How to Practice Avalanche Rescue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2LnkU0ZCU0&t=193s
How to Practice Avalanche Rescue: Snowmobile Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ML499MMDfM&t=182s
There are also videos built for folks practicing for their A3 Pro 1 Rescue Exam, here:
Preparing for your A3 Pro 1 Rescue Exam: Snowmobile Edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0gbQewjJ-o&t=42s
Preparing for your A3 Pro 1 Rescue Exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85dscc2oYiQ&t=84s
Enjoy the Snow!
