With snow still accumulating nationwide, it’s hard to believe that spring began over a month ago. Across the country, late-season snowpack is deep—and in many places getting deeper—leaving skiers speculating that winter may just never end. And what a winter it has been, with most regions in the U.S. receiving above average accumulations and many zones even setting records.
California’s Sierra Nevada was blessed with several big storms this winter. In fact, the epic winter even brought the state’s three-year drought to an end, according to Governor Jerry Brown. "Continued conservation is key," said Brown, adding that the state is still struggling with water supply. But data from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) might suggest otherwise.
The DWR’s April 1 snow survey reported the state’s water at 171% of average with some regions in Tahoe area and the Southern Sierra reporting almost 200% of normal. According to the DWR, the April snow survey is the most comprehensive examination of snow water content in the Sierra Nevada, as snow generally accumulates up to April, then melts thereafter.
Why so much water? The Tahoe region hit it big this winter, with several dumps totaling over ten feet. Squaw Valley is reporting a season total of 708 inches, the most ever recorded and the resort’s first time breaking the 700-inch mark. For those hankering for springtime on-piste turns, the resort will stay open through Memorial Day weekend.
The La Niña event this winter affected more regions than just the Sierra Nevada. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort reported its second biggest winter on record (558 inches) and the biggest opening day ever (130 inches). The Northeast faired well, too, with reliable storm cycles void of post-storm rainfall that has plagued recent seasons. Now, skiers are making the traditional springtime trip to New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, where last Friday an estimated 3,000 skiers visited Tuckerman Ravine.
Mount Baker in Washington is currently reporting 682 inches, an above average winter but nowhere near their world-record winter of 1998-99, which dumped 1140 inches of snow. Most Northwest regions are reporting 110-150% of normal.
“The character of this winter changed a lot over time and space,” said Mark Moore an avalanche meteorologist and the director of the Northwest Avalanche Center. “Winter started out robustly in late November and December, put on the brakes for January into early February, and then got cold and wet in late February through the present time.”
In his 2008 paper, “ENSO and Avalanche Fatalities: Is there a correlation?” Moore compared annual avalanche fatalities with El Niño and La Niña weather events, known collectively as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation). While the study is relatively new, Moore noted significant increase in fatality totals during ENSO events and some possible correlations.
Moore believes it’s too early to draw conclusions between this season’s fatalities and the strong La Niña event, but added, “certainly the Northwest U.S. has had particularly brutal conditions and greater than normal accidents.”
Four avalanche deaths have been reported in the Northwest to date, an unfortunately high number for the region. Avalanche.org is reporting 17 deaths in the U.S. this year and, as snow continues to fall, it’s apparent that the ski season won’t be ending anytime soon.