Snowpack

[Cougeyes]

I actually hope we do have a lot of big fires. Nothing is better at creating good deer and elk habitat. We've got lots of areas that haven't seen a fire in a long time and are way overdue.

I agree, I know several areas around here that are way overdue, the trees are basically all dying or already dead from bark beetle or other causes, so dense there is no understory, not great habitat.

I'm glad there is little snow this year, the deer around here need it, the population is going downhill.  Hopefully there will be enough rain and late winter snow to offset any drought that may happen.  Although if we're basing whether there may be a drought from the current conditions  it isn't looking to well.

[bobcat]

Funny, I just saw on the news that there is more snow on Mission Ridge than there ever has been at this time of year, 42 inches they said.

Also, I think it's a little early to think there won't be much snow this winter. We're only 1/3 of the way through winter. Plenty of time left for some major snowstorms.

[halflife65]

I'm worried about my irrigation water...could be a problem for those of us in Kittitas Valley.

[CMG]

Were you not living here in 2005?  We didn't have any snow in the mountains that winter.

  Interesting subject, and one I am learning more on every year. I have a small piece of property out of riverside towards Concunully with a lake that is reliant solely on rain/snow melt each year. the lake was at it's lowest from 1993 thru 1995. it arose almost 8'-0" in 95' thru 96' I remember getting 3-4 Ft. of snow those years which is a lot in that area. the lake kept full thru 2005. It has been on a steady decline since then and is back down to -8'-0", the lowest I have seen it since 95'? I was hoping for the cycle to return so the lake would rise back up, guess I'll have to wait another couple of years. It is real apparent when the lake is full there is a lot more wildlife around! Let's hope for a late winterblast 10'!!!

[rosscrazyelk]

Great. Bad snow pack = dry plants and not as much water for the animals = bad antler growth= I will probably finally get drawn for my big bull tag= shooting a dink

[Pathfinder101]

Great. Bad snow pack = dry plants and not as much water for the animals = bad antler growth= I will probably finally get drawn for my big bull tag= shooting a dink

Funny you mentioned that.  Last "easy" winter was 2005/2006 and we had the Columbia Complex Fire in the Blues.  Buddy of mine drew a tag...And wound up eating it....

[Alchase]

In 1976 the skiing lodges did not even open. They litterally had no snow. I was going to race that year and Snoqualmie and Alpental did not get enough to even cover the ground.

Here is a list of snow pack by the "least" amount.

http://www.nwac.us/media/uploads/pdfs/Ranking_Northwest_Snowpacks.pdf

[boneaddict]

I was thinking 79 was a horrible year.  No snow at new YEars in Twisp.  Maybe it was earlier than that.  I know Carter was in office......

I figure if Bush gets blamed for hurricanes I might as well blame droughts on the democrats.

[Alchase]

How is the Methow doing this year?

[Pathfinder101]

I was thinking 79 was a horrible year.  No snow at new YEars in Twisp.  Maybe it was earlier than that.  I know Carter was in office......

I thought it was '79 too.  I know it was only a couple of years before my dad died.  I was a little kid (about 7), but I remember driving waaaaaayyyy up Mount Abercrombie in December.  Dad kept going on and on about there being no snow.  If it were 76 I don't think I would have remembered.

[Huntbear]

Here is a good resource for snow depth, water, temp, etc...

http://www3.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/sntlsites.jsp?state=WA

Take for example.  Spencer Meadow.  Normally this time of year, between 5-7 ft. of snow.  Only 3 ft of snow right now.

Temps are actually rising above freezing during the day.  Elevation is about 3400 ft.

[Idabooner]

How is the Methow doing this year?

In the mid valley below 3000 ft. we haven't had any rain, just foggy wet air, a few snow showers. It's been the warmest January I've seen in 74 years, with freezing most nights and up to 35-40* in the day. The ground is frozen with 6"-12" of snow. There was a crust you could walk on for a couple days, now it's mostly soft, coyotes sinking 2" deer clear to the ground. The deer are not hanging in the normal wintering areas, they are scattered and feeding on new ground mostly. The ones I've seen look to be in good shape. The ravens and eagles seem to be working above 3000 ft. so I'm guessing that's where the predator action is. That's the best I can describe from the Carlton area.

The coyotes are scattered to and hard to find,    mostly mousing. I've about got my hundred hours in on the river so must be about ready for another fish.

[boneaddict]

Madison and I are supposed to go hiking Friday. It should snow a foot thursday night.

[hirshey]

Let's hope for lots of public land having some good spring burns to help jumpstart that browse... busy summer for me!

[ICEMAN]

No kidding, with things this warm, how early will they start prescribed burns?