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

[BOWHUNTER45]

Pretty scary looking out my window and seeing green mountain tops  The only thing good that may come from this is the Turkeys may be mating in March    Should be a good opener 

[washelkhunter]

You cant do anything about the weather so why worry about it. Think instead how to profit from this possibility; buy stock in fire retardant mayhaps?

[Skyvalhunter]

Will be a wet summer.

[Jonathan_S]

Pretty scary looking out my window and seeing green mountain tops  The only thing good that may come from this is the Turkeys may be mating in March    Should be a good opener 

   I think turkey ovulation is similar to other birds in that daylight has much more to do with it

Would be nice to have a bunch of toms running wild on the opener though 

[Firedogg]

Gobble gobble...

[Naches Sportsman]

It felt like Memorial Day this afternoon. Goats were out tanning themselves. Drove clear up to 5500' today.

[huntnnw]

and every year that we have low sno pack in NE WA we end up with super wet springs and early summers

[Jonathan_S]

and every year that we have low sno pack in NE WA we end up with super wet springs and early summers

Yeah and that worries me.  I hate having heavy rains in May/June.  My wife's terrier found two fawns a few years back that had frozen to death in the rain.   

Wet springs also threaten turkey poults and grouse chicks.  If that first grouse brood survives, I believe it breeds late in the summer which gives a bumper crop of grouse in October, November   

[steen]

March and April are usually highest in snowfall in the mountains.