Going to be a dry year.

[Firedogg]

From the looks of things this is going to be a very dry year with no snowpack in the mountains.  Those of you making plans on hunting early seasons on any of the private timberlands better think of an alternative since those have been known to have access shut off because of the fire danger.  I feel for the famers on the east side, it's going to be a struggle with water rations.  Unless we see some significant cold, wet storms come in the next six weeks or so it's not going to be better.

  Here are some comparison shots, December 30th and one month later on January 29th.  The tree line on Mt Rainier on this side of the mountain is about 6,000 feet. You can see there is not much if anything really below that point. The Cayuse Pass snow information says there is only 26" of snow there at 5240 feet. No snow down at Longmire.

  Have alternate plans for this next season, things could be rough.

Dec 30th


January 29th


Dec 30th tree line


January 29th tree line

[kentrek]

There was much snow last year either, I'm sure theres charts but I'd say it's about the same....it's still only January tho 

[fair-chase]

Thanks for bringing this up. Not looking good as of right now, but there's still a lot of winter left. Will be praying for a wet spring.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

According to the news last night Spokane is 18" behind on snowfall so far this year. 

[billythekidrock]

Not only will it be dry, but according to Emergency Management folks it is supposed to be hotter than  normal. Better buy your AC unit now.

[nacheshunter]

It is going to start nuking in february and march like it always does in the cascades. Mountains will be fine . Lots of liquid precip fell in december so if hasnt been that bad.

[Special T]

Cool pic of the mountain. The pic is from the east correct?

Is the zoomed in Pic of Steamboat Prow?  (Where the Emmons and Wintrop glacier meet)

I dont think its time to worry just yet. There have been many years where we had a low snow accumulation and then BLAM a big bad ass snow storm hits and we exceed our requirements.

[Timberstalker]

It is going to start nuking in february and march like it always does in the cascades. Mountains will be fine . Lots of liquid precip fell in december so if hasnt been that bad.

These are my thoughts exactly.  Last year at this time levels were nearly identical, if I remember correctly.  I cannot find last years SWE map online at the moment though.

It seems that the snow comes later and later every year.

[Special T]

I know that peak snow fall in BC is Feb & March or that is at least the trend.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

It is going to start nuking in february and march like it always does in the cascades. Mountains will be fine . Lots of liquid precip fell in december so if hasnt been that bad.

These are my thoughts exactly.  Last year at this time levels were nearly identical, if I remember correctly.  I cannot find last years SWE map online at the moment though.

It seems that the snow comes later and later every year.

Actually it looks like we're worse off this year.  Couldn't find a WA graphic but I found a western states one from 6 Feb 14.  North Cascades and Blues are about the same.  The rest of the zones look to be ~10-20% below last year.

[Timberstalker]

You are right.  Looks like my memory was screwed up

We still have a good solid 6-8 weeks of good snow/snowpack chances.

I will start worrying in a month if things don't change.

[washelkhunter]

Luckily for us Washatonians we are sitting on a bumper crop of mj with more growing. Chill man....`<|;-{-~~~

[cougkilr]

This picture was taken while at work yesterday at 4,000', lakes partially frozen but no snow anywhere, there has only been a couple years out of the past 15-20 years that you could get to this location this time of year. You can drive across the top of the entire Tahoma State Forest, some years there is 10+ feet up there this time of year. As many said, we still have some time to catch up, we'll just have to wait and see, it could be a another busy summer.

[bobcat]

I remember quite a few winters just like this. They were warning us about potential water shortages in the summer, more extreme fire danger, etc. Then in March, April, or even as late as May, the snow dumps in the mountains and we're right back to a normal snowpack. So like others have already said, I think it's still way too soon to be worrying about it.

[Jonathan_S]

I remember quite a few winters just like this. They were warning us about potential water shortages in the summer, more extreme fire danger, etc. Then in March, April, or even as late as May, the snow dumps in the mountains and we're right back to a normal snowpack. So like others have already said, I think it's still way too soon to be worrying about it.

For many people, it's NEVER to early to worry about it.   

Just watch the news