Thursday, February 25, 2016

Where Art Thou El Nino?

Thanks to Dave Steenburgh of the UofU for this interesting blog on the effects of El Nino in the western states.


Where Art Thou El Nino?

As we near the end of February and the home stretch of the snowpack accumulation season, snowpack water equivalents are running pretty close to average across much of the western U.S.
Source: NRCS
There is, however, reason to be concerned in the southwest where the snowpack in the mountains of Arizona and much of New Mexico are running below average.  I flew over this area about 10 days ago and was blown away by the lack of snow.  Similarly, the southern Sierra are now running at only 88% of average for the date (left hand value below, right is percent of the April 1st average).

Source: California Department of Water Resources
And, while one always needs to be cautious with extended-range forecasts, there's really not much being produced by the models over the next 1-2 weeks for the southwest.  Just to underscore that point, below is the 8-14 day precipitation outlook for the first week of March.

Source: CPC
Oh, where art thou El Nino? I see your warm sea-surface temperatures, but where are your storms?

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Water Supply So Far this Winter

Precipitation Oct-Jan 2016

Wyoming Mean Temp Departure Oct-Jan 2016

Upper Snake River Basins February 1, 2016 WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK






 Precipitation across the Upper Snake River basins showed substantial variability with Pacific Creek (in the north) receiving only 73% of typical January values, while in the south the Salt and Portneuf rivers both reported 120%. For the water year to date, precipitation values range from a low of 86% (Hoback River) to a high of 112% (Portneuf), while the Snake River above American Falls is right on target at 98% of average. Snowpack numbers across the Upper Snake are very good overall, ranging from a low of 91% of median snowpack (Hoback and Gros Ventre rivers) to a high 114% in the Portneuf drainage, while many basins are reporting snowpack percentages within 5% of median. Looking at the Upper Snake as a whole, the Snake River above American Falls has 98% of median snowpack. In most cases reservoir levels in the Upper Snake are trailing slightly behind where they were at this time last year, but are still near or above average for the end of January. Jackson Lake and Palisades are at 131% and 87% of average, while their combined storage is at 101% of average for the end of January. Taken as a group, Henrys Lake, Island Park Reservoir, and Grassy Lake have a combined storage of 187 KAF, which is 97% of average. Moving downstream, Blackfoot and American Falls reservoirs are at 98% and 82% of average values. Projected streamflow volumes in the Upper Snake range from a low of 85% of average for Willow Creek to a high of 107% for the Portneuf River. However, most basins are projected to have approximately 90-95% of average flows, with the Snake at Irwin, Heise, and Neeley all forecast at 90% of average. 

Friday, February 19, 2016

SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM 5AM THURSDAY THROUGH 5AM FRIDAY.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
1229 PM MST FRI FEB 19 2016

...UPDATED STORM INFORMATION...

THE FOLLOWING ARE SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM 5AM
THURSDAY THROUGH 5AM FRIDAY.

***** SNOWFALL REPORTS *****

LOCATION                             SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY...
 COMMISSARY RIDGE...                  9 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT...                 8 INCHES.
 SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL...        7 INCHES.
 WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL...               6 INCHES.
 5 SSE SMOOT...                       6 INCHES.
 INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL...               5 INCHES.
 2 SE THAYNE...                     4.3 INCHES.
 COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL...           4 INCHES.
 STAR VALLEY RANCH...                 4 INCHES.
 AFTON...                           3.7 INCHES.
 SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL...          3 INCHES.
 ALPINE...                            3 INCHES.
 BOX Y RANCH...                       3 INCHES.
 KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL...      3 INCHES.
 HAMS FORK SNOTEL...                  3 INCHES.
 3 SE BEDFORD...                      3 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL...          3 INCHES.
 FOSSIL BUTTE...                      2 INCHES.
BIG HORN COUNTY... BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. FREMONT COUNTY... BROOKS LAKE... 7 INCHES. SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 1 INCH. ATLANTIC CITY... 1 INCH. BURROUGHS CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. JOHNSON COUNTY... HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 1 INCH. SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. YOUNTS PEAK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. PAHASKA... 2 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 1 INCH. PINEDALE... 0.6 INCHES. BONDURANT... 0.5 INCHES. DANIEL FISH HATCHERY... 0.5 INCHES. SWEETWATER COUNTY... ROCK SPRINGS... 0.8 INCHES. 7 SE ROCK SPRINGS... 0.7 INCHES. ROCK SPRINGS... 0.5 INCHES. ROCK SPRINGS... 0.5 INCHES. 4 NNW ROCK SPRINGS... 0.4 INCHES. TETON COUNTY... JACKSON HOLE - RAYMER... 15 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - MID MOUNTAIN... 9 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 7 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 7 INCHES. SNOW KING... 5 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE - CHIEF JOSEPH... 4 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 1 NNW ALTA... 1 INCH. JACKSON HOLE - BASE... 1 INCH. JACKSON... 0.8 INCHES. 2 NE TETON VILLAGE... 0.5 INCHES. 12 NE JACKSON... 0.5 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 1 INCH. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 3 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 1 INCH. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 0.2 INCHES.

PRELIMINARY STORM INFORMATION

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
605 AM MST FRI FEB 19 2016

...PRELIMINARY STORM INFORMATION...

THE FOLLOWING SNOWFALL REPORTS ARE FROM 5 AM
THURSDAY THROUGH 5 AM FRIDAY.

***** SNOWFALL REPORTS *****

LOCATION                             SNOWFALL
FREMONT COUNTY...
 BROOKS LAKE...                       7 INCHES.

LINCOLN COUNTY...
 COMMISSARY RIDGE...                  9 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT...                 8 INCHES.
 THAYNE 1 SE                          4 INCHES 
 ALPINE...                            3 INCHES.
 BOX Y RANCH...                       3 INCHES.
 FOSSIL BUTTE...                      2 INCHES.

TETON COUNTY...
 JACKSON HOLE - RAYMER...            15 INCHES.
 JACKSON HOLE - MID MOUNTAIN...       9 INCHES.
 JACKSON HOLE - RENDEZVOUS BOWL...    7 INCHES.
 TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE...           7 INCHES.
 SNOW KING...                         5 INCHES.
 GRAND TARGHEE - CHIEF JOSEPH...      4 INCHES.
 JACKSON HOLE - BASE...               1 INCH.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Heavy Snow in the Mountains

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
311 PM MST WED FEB 17 2016

...SIGNIFICANT SNOW AND WIND EXPECTED IN THE WESTERN WYOMING MOUNTAINS
THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...

.AN APPROACHING STORM SYSTEM WITH A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL LIKELY
PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT SNOWSTORM FOR THE WESTERN WYOMING MOUNTAINS. SNOW
AND WIND WILL BE ON THE INCREASE EARLY THURSDAY AND CONTINUE
THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT BEFORE ENDING. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND
WIND COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR THOSE PLANNING OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES OR TRAVEL OVER AREA PASSES INCLUDING TETON...SALT
RIVER...TOGWOTEE AND SOUTH PASS.


SALT RIVER AND WYOMING RANGES-
311 PM MST WED FEB 17 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO 5 AM
MST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RIVERTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THE SALT AND WYOMING RANGES WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO 5 AM MST FRIDAY.

* TIMING...SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE TONIGHT AND MAY BE HEAVY AT
  TIMES THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. THE STEADIEST SNOWFALL
  WILL LIKELY OCCUR FROM 6 AM THURSDAY THROUGH 12 NOON THURSDAY.
  ISOLATED EMBEDDED THUNDERSNOW IS POSSIBLE THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...6 TO 8 INCHES.

* WIND AND VISIBILITY...SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WIND OF 30 TO 40 MPH
  WITH GUSTS OF 45 MPH OVER THE EXPOSED RIDGES AND HIGHEST
  ELEVATIONS. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE WEST THURSDAY EVENING. THE
  COMBINATION OF SNOW AND WIND WILL REDUCE THE VISIBILITY TO BELOW
  ONE QUARTER OF A MILE AND OCCASIONALLY TO NEAR ZERO.

* MAIN IMPACT...TRAVEL WILL LIKELY BECOME DIFFICULT AS ROADS
  BECOME SNOW PACKED AND SLICK WITH POOR VISIBILITY...INCLUDING
  SALT RIVER PASS. BEFORE TRAVELING MOTORISTS SHOULD CHECK THE
  LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS BY VISITING WYOROAD.INFO OR BY DIALING 5
  1 1. BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD ALSO BE ALERT FOR THIS
  SIGNIFICANT STORM WITH PLENTY OF WIND AND SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...
FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

Monday, February 15, 2016

...PRELIMINARY SNOW AND WIND REPORTS FROM SUNDAY...FEBRUARY 14...THROUGH THIS MORNING...FEBRUARY 15...

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
0117 PM MST MON FEB 15 2016


...PRELIMINARY SNOW AND WIND REPORTS FROM SUNDAY...FEBRUARY
14...THROUGH THIS MORNING...FEBRUARY 15...

SNOWFALL REPORTS COME FROM VARIOUS SOURCES...AND SOME OBSERVATIONS
ARE FROM SUNDAY MORNING. ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL REPORTS WILL BE
COLLECTED THIS MORNING...AND ADDITIONAL REPORTS WITH SNOWFALL TOTALS
WILL BE SENT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

NOTE...SNOTELS (SNOW TELEMETRY) ARE REMOTE SENSING SITES IN HIGH
MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS. SNOWFALL DATA FROM SNOTELS ARE ESTIMATED BASED
ON SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT.

LOCATION                             SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY...
 SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL...       19 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL...         15 INCHES.
 COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL...          14 INCHES.
 WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL...              11 INCHES.
 COMMISSARY RIDGE...                 10 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT...               7.1 INCHES.
 BOX Y RANCH...                     6.1 INCHES.
 INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL...               6 INCHES.
 SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL...          5 INCHES.
 3 SE BEDFORD...                      4 INCHES.
 STAR VALLEY RANCH...               3.5 INCHES.
 2 SE THAYNE...                     3.3 INCHES.
 KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL...      3 INCHES.
 5 SSE SMOOT...                       3 INCHES.
 HAMS FORK SNOTEL...                  3 INCHES.
 1 SE THAYNE...                       2 INCHES.
 AFTON...                           1.4 INCHES.
 FOSSIL BUTTE...                      1 INCH.
BIG HORN COUNTY... BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. FREMONT COUNTY... BROOKS LAKE... 8.1 INCHES. BURROUGHS CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 1 INCH. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. JOHNSON COUNTY... BEAR TRAP MEADOW SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LITTLE GOOSE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 4 SSW BUFFALO... 0.4 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... GRAVE SPRING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. CASPER AIRPORT... 0.3 INCHES. 4 WSW CASPER... 0.1 INCHES. PARK COUNTY... BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. YOUNTS PEAK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. PAHASKA... 2 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 14 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. BONDURANT... 1.4 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 14 NW PINEDALE... 0.7 INCHES. PINEDALE... 0.7 INCHES. DANIEL FISH HATCHERY... 0.2 INCHES. TETON COUNTY... JACKSON HOLE - RAYMER... 9 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 7 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 6 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - MID MOUNTAIN... 6 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE - CHIEF JOSEPH... 5 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. JACKSON DAM... 2.6 INCHES. SNOW KING... 1.1 INCHES. 12 NE JACKSON... 1 INCH. 2 SW WILSON... 1 INCH. 3 SSW WILSON... 1 INCH. JACKSON HOLE - BASE... 0.6 INCHES. MOOSE... 0.5 INCHES. 2 NE TETON VILLAGE... 0.3 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. MIDDLE POWDER SNOTEL... 1 INCH. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 2 INCHES. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 1.5 INCHES. OLD FAITHFUL RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. ...WIND REPORTS AT OR ABOVE 40 MPH FOR THE PAST 24 HOURS END AT 1 PM MONDAY FEBRUARY 15... LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE ELEVATION ...BIG HORN COUNTY... COWLEY AIRPORT 52 MPH 0215 PM 02/14 4090 FT GREYBULL AIRPORT 49 MPH 0319 PM 02/14 3935 FT 30 E GREYBULL 41 MPH 0258 PM 02/14 8898 FT ...FREMONT COUNTY... DUBOIS AIRPORT 60 MPH 0815 AM 02/15 7297 FT CROWHEART 59 MPH 0143 PM 02/14 6099 FT 2 W SOUTH PASS CITY 57 MPH 0821 AM 02/15 8185 FT 10 W FORT WASHAKIE 55 MPH 1101 AM 02/14 9235 FT 3 NNW HUDSON 50 MPH 0346 PM 02/14 5555 FT 10 N DUBOIS 49 MPH 0957 AM 02/15 8085 FT RIVERTON AIRPORT 49 MPH 0156 PM 02/14 5525 FT DUBOIS 48 MPH 0249 AM 02/15 6980 FT LAVA MOUNTAIN 47 MPH 1055 AM 02/15 10371 FT JEFFREY CITY 45 MPH 1205 PM 02/15 6374 FT BEAVER RIM 45 MPH 0946 AM 02/15 6784 FT 8 W SOUTH PASS CITY 44 MPH 1250 PM 02/14 8120 FT SOUTH PASS 43 MPH 0135 AM 02/15 8556 FT LANDER AIRPORT 43 MPH 1249 PM 02/15 5586 FT RED CANYON 40 MPH 0215 PM 02/14 6768 FT ...HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... 10 S MEETEETSE 46 MPH 0242 PM 02/14 7127 FT BOYSEN PEAK 45 MPH 0355 PM 02/14 7300 FT ...JOHNSON COUNTY... 5 ESE STORY 65 MPH 0136 PM 02/14 4673 FT BUFFALO AIRPORT 54 MPH 0235 PM 02/14 4970 FT 13 NNW BUFFALO 53 MPH 0135 PM 02/14 4737 FT 7 NE BUFFALO 50 MPH 0146 PM 02/14 4370 FT 12 N KAYCEE 48 MPH 0136 PM 02/14 5287 FT 7 SW BARNUM 42 MPH 0246 PM 02/14 6440 FT 25 ESE BUFFALO 42 MPH 0220 PM 02/14 4657 FT 18 NW BUFFALO 40 MPH 0947 PM 02/14 8604 FT ...LINCOLN COUNTY... KEMMERER AIRPORT 47 MPH 1055 AM 02/15 7285 FT ...NATRONA COUNTY... 2 SE HILAND 49 MPH 0331 PM 02/14 6134 FT 7 W ALCOVA 45 MPH 0510 PM 02/14 6342 FT CASPER OUTER DRIVE 45 MPH 0336 PM 02/14 5463 FT CASPER AIRPORT 40 MPH 0318 PM 02/14 5320 FT ...PARK COUNTY... CHIEF JOSEPH HWY 66 MPH 1255 AM 02/15 8136 FT 2 N FRANNIE 51 MPH 0240 PM 02/14 4275 FT 8 N MEETEETSE 50 MPH 0151 PM 02/14 5926 FT 20 SW CODY 49 MPH 1026 AM 02/15 5843 FT 3 E PAHASKA 47 MPH 0757 AM 02/15 7500 FT CRANDALL 44 MPH 1212 PM 02/15 6640 FT POWELL AIRPORT 44 MPH 0135 PM 02/14 5050 FT 10 WNW CODY 43 MPH 0240 PM 02/14 8401 FT 5 WNW CLARK 42 MPH 0624 AM 02/15 4659 FT ...SUBLETTE COUNTY... 21 W BIG PINEY 51 MPH 0909 PM 02/14 8200 FT ...SWEETWATER COUNTY... 15 SE ROCK SPRINGS 64 MPH 1044 AM 02/15 7550 FT ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT 51 MPH 0254 PM 02/14 6760 FT 5 E ROCK SPRINGS 48 MPH 0245 PM 02/14 6369 FT I 80 - MILE MARKER 142 47 MPH 1220 PM 02/14 7162 FT 7 WSW ROCK SPRINGS 47 MPH 0700 AM 02/15 6238 FT I 80 - MILE MARKER 184 45 MPH 0916 AM 02/15 7112 FT I 80 - MILE MARKER 157 44 MPH 0255 PM 02/14 6965 FT 22 NNE GRANGER 42 MPH 0328 PM 02/14 6322 FT I 80 - MILE MARKER 131 42 MPH 0830 AM 02/14 6636 FT 7 WNW GREEN RIVER 40 MPH 0907 AM 02/15 6387 FT 1 NNE GREEN RIVER 40 MPH 0247 PM 02/14 6315 FT 20 ENE OPAL 40 MPH 0411 PM 02/14 6556 FT ...TETON COUNTY... SUMMIT - JACKSON RESORT 52 MPH 0530 AM 02/15 10318 FT SNOW KING 42 MPH 0200 PM 02/14 7810 FT OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING EQUIPMENT AND EXPOSURE. NOT ALL DATA LISTED ARE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.

PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
0607 AM MST MON FEB 15 2016


...PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY NIGHT...

SNOWFALL REPORTS COME FROM VARIOUS SOURCES...AND SOME OBSERVATIONS
ARE FROM SUNDAY MORNING. ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL REPORTS WILL BE
COLLECTED THIS MORNING...AND ADDITIONAL REPORTS WITH SNOWFALL TOTALS
WILL BE SENT THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

NOTE...SNOTELS (SNOW TELEMETRY) ARE REMOTE SENSING SITES IN HIGH
MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS. SNOWFALL DATA FROM SNOTELS ARE ESTIMATED BASED
ON SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT.

LOCATION                             SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY...
 COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL...          12 INCHES.
 SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL...       12 INCHES.
 COMMISSARY RIDGE...                 10 INCHES.
 WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL...               9 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL...          8 INCHES.
 BLIND BULL SUMMIT...               7.1 INCHES.
 BOX Y RANCH...                     6.1 INCHES.
 INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL...               5 INCHES.
 3 SE BEDFORD...                      4 INCHES.
 STAR VALLEY RANCH...               3.5 INCHES.
 HAMS FORK SNOTEL...                  3 INCHES.
 5 SSE SMOOT...                       3 INCHES.
 SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL...          3 INCHES.
 KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL...      2 INCHES.
 AFTON...                           1.2 INCHES.
 FOSSIL BUTTE...                      1 INCH
BIG HORN COUNTY... BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. FREMONT COUNTY... BROOKS LAKE... 8.1 INCHES. BURROUGHS CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 1 INCH. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. JOHNSON COUNTY... SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. LITTLE GOOSE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BEAR TRAP MEADOW SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 1 INCH. NATRONA COUNTY... GRAVE SPRING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. YOUNTS PEAK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. PAHASKA... 1 INCH. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BONDURANT... 1.4 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. TETON COUNTY... JACKSON HOLE - RAYMER... 9.1 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 7 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - MID MOUNTAIN... 5.5 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 5.5 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE - CHIEF JOSEPH... 5 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. JACKSON DAM... 2.1 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SNOW KING... 1.1 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE - BASE... 1.1 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. MIDDLE POWDER SNOTEL... 1 INCH. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 2 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. OLD FAITHFUL RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 1 INCH.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Winter Weather Advisory Sunday and Monday

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY
1151 AM MST SAT FEB 13 2016

...MOIST WEST FLOW FROM THE PACIFIC WILL BRING A PROLONGED PERIOD
OF SNOW SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY TO WESTERN WYOMING...

.MOIST WEST FLOW FROM THE PACIFIC WILL BRING A PROLONGED PERIOD
OF SNOW SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY TO WESTERN WYOMING.  SNOWFALL UP TO
20 INCHES IS EXPECTED IN THE TETON MOUNTAINS WITH UP TO A FOOT IN
THE REST OF THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS. THE VALLEYS ARE EXPECTED TO
RECEIVE 6 INCHES AND MAY HAVE SOME RAIN MIXED WITH SNOW MONDAY
AFTERNOON. STRONG WEST WINDS OVER THE PASSES AND HIGH RIDGES WILL
CAUSE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW OVER TETON...TOGWOTEE AND
SALT RIVER PASSES.


SALT RIVER AND WYOMING RANGES-
1151 AM MST SAT FEB 13 2016

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM SUNDAY TO 5 PM MST
MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RIVERTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 5 AM SUNDAY TO 5 PM MST MONDAY.

* TIMING...STRONG WEST WINDS WILL BEGIN TO BRING PACIFIC MOISTURE
  INTO THE TETON AND GROS VENTRE MOUNTAINS LATE TONIGHT BEGINNING
  A LONG TERM PERIOD OF SNOW WITH BLOWING SNOW DEVELOPING. PERIODS
  OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.

* SNOW ACCUMULATION...7 TO 12 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS.

* WIND AND VISIBILITY...WEST WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH
  ON THE PASSES. VISIBILITY BELOW A QUARTER MILE IN HEAVY SNOW AND
  BLOWING SNOW.

* MAIN IMPACT...TRAVEL WILL BECOME DIFFICULT ON THE MOUNTAIN
  PASSES WITH SNOW PACKED AND ICY ROADS AND POOR VISIBILITY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW
AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Total Precipitation Anamolies 1,3 and 6 years

Total precipitation anomaly is calculated by dividing the total precipitation over a specified period of months by the 1981-2010 normal precipitation for the months included in that period.

The calculations use as many as possible of the station networks and data sources ingested by the PRISM Climate Group, not just those that have existed for long periods of time.

The PRISM Climate Group gathers climate observations from a wide range of monitoring networks, applies sophisticated quality control measures, and develops spatial climate datasets to reveal short- and long-term climate pattern.

Following are the maps for the past 1, 3 and 6 years across the United States.


Feb 2015-11 Feb 2016
Feb 2013- 11 Feb 2016
Feb 2010-11 Feb 2016


The most obvious anomaly is the persistent deficient in precipitation in the Southwestern States in particular California.'

Wyoming has  experienced near  to slightly below normal for the past 6 years.  However in the last 3 years steady improvement has taken place across eastern Wyoming  Also significant  relief took place last year across Texas west ward to California.


Map of 30 year average annual precipitation