So I was reading up on the 'what's up with the no snow' situation happening here in the Pacific Northwest and came across a cool plotting tool from the Washington State climatology office. The tool lets you choose from a number of different options: evaluation method, sites around the state, the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) classification, time period and so forth. This year is neither an El Niño (warmer winter climate) or La Niña (cooler winter climate) so it is classified as being 'neutral.' And since it is our 'home' mountain I chose to compare the current snowpack of Crystal Mountain with historical data from 1967 through last season.
This is the resulting plot...
Ouch. We are below the historical minimum for a neutral season. It was raining going over Snoqualmie Pass (whose three ski areas still remained closed as we head into the new year due to lack of snow) this morning. I vowed not to return to Crystal until a major storm system has moved through as they begin shutting down runs one by one lower on the mountain. Snow businesses here in the state are bleeding so say all the local newspaper headlines from Cle Elum and Yakima up north to Winthrop and Mazama.
No snow means more than just a lack of powder for those of us dying to get out in it. The bigger impact is already being felt. Keep praying for snow. Keep praying for snow. Keep praying for snow...
