Riverton Forecast Office has prepared an excellent summary of the expected conditions throughout much of the Cowboy state. Star Valley once again will be protected from the bitter cold, but will get more snow.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Weekend Winter Storm in Wyoming
A bitter cold air mass from Canada which will invade Wyoming to the east of the Continental Divide combined with a very moist storm moving in from the Pacific, will combine for a particularly stormy first couple days of March.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Winter Storm Warning Star Valley through Saturday night.
STAR VALLEY-SALT RIVER AND WYOMING RANGES- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AFTON...ALPINE...STAR VALLEY RANCH... THAYNE 234 PM MST THU FEB 27 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM MST SUNDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RIVERTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW AND WIND WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 5 AM MST SUNDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. * SUMMARY AND TIMING...THE FIRST SYSTEM WILL BRING SNOW TONIGHT AND FRIDAY. AN EVEN STRONGER SYSTEM IS EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY. THERE COULD BE A LULL AT SOME POINT FRIDAY... ESPECIALLY FOR THE SOUTH HALF OF THE STAR VALLEY AND SALT/WYOMING RANGES. * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...6 TO 12 INCHES IN THE STAR VALLEY WITH 1 TO 2 FEET IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS. * WIND AND VISIBILITY...SOUTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH IN THE HIGH COUNTRY WITH VISIBILITY UNDER ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES. * IMPACTS...TRAVEL WILL BE SEVERELY HAMPERED BY THE SNOW AND WIND. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK WITH PERIODS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING 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. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS PROVIDED BY THE WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING 5-1-1 OR ON THE INTERNET AT WYOROAD.INFO.
Snowy Start To March
March begins this weekend and it will continue snowy across much of the Cowboy State.
The weekly weather video covers this next storm system now approaching from the west and north.
Weather Briefing for the weekend storm
The weekly weather video covers this next storm system now approaching from the west and north.
Weather Briefing for the weekend storm
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Spring Flood Outlook Feb 25 2014
Wyoming Spring 2014 Snowmelt Flood Potential Outlook---issued February 25th
Mountain snowpack and associated snow water equivalents (SWEs) across Wyoming continued to be above average by the middle of February. SWEs at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations (8,000’ – 9.500’) continued to be the highest across northeastern Wyoming at 120 to 155 percent of median; while across southern Wyoming, SWEs were the lowest at 95 to 115 percent of median at the peak snowmelt runoff elevations.
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| Basin Snow Water Equivalent % of Median |
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Latest Snow Total as of Sunday Afternoon February 23rd
..PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 21ST THROUGH 1 PM FEBRUARY 23RD... A COLD FRONT PUSHED ACROSS THE REGION FRIDAY THE 21ST...THEN STALLED ACROSS CENTRAL WYOMING SATURDAY...BRINGING SNOW ACROSS MUCH OF THE STATE THROUGH THIS MORNING. HERE ARE THE LATEST SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 21ST THROUGH 1 PM TODAY. NOTE...SNOTELS (SNOW TELEMETRY) ARE REMOTE SENSING SITES IN HIGH MOUNTAIN WATERSHEDS. SNOWFALL DATA FROM SNOTELS IS ESTIMATED BASED ON SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT. LOCATION SNOWFALLLINCOLN COUNTY... SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 29 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 28 INCHES. PINE CREEK SKI AREA... 24 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 23 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 22 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 20 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 18 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 17 INCHES. SMOOT... 14-15 INCHES. BOX Y RANCH... 15 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 14 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 14 INCHES. FAIRVIEW... 11 INCHES. OSMOND... 10 INCHES. AFTON... 9.1 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 9 INCHES. AUBURN... 6 INCHES. KEMMERER... 3.5-6 INCHES. COKEVILLE... 5.5 INCHES. 2 SE THAYNE... 5.2 INCHES. DIAMONDVILLE... 5 INCHES. STAR VALLEY RANCH... 4.5 INCHES. 3 SE BEDFORD... 4 INCHES.BIG HORN COUNTY... SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. POWDER RIVER PASS... 10 INCHES. BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. LOVELL... 4-5 INCHES. SHELL... 2.5 INCHES. GREYBULL... 1.8 INCHES. OTTO... 1.5 INCHES. 5 WNW BASIN... 1 INCH. FREMONT COUNTY... LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 13 INCHES. SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. DUBOIS... 7-10.5 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. LANDER... 3-4.7 INCHES. ATLANTIC CITY... 4.5 INCHES. BROOKS LAKE LODGE... 4 INCHES. 7 ESE KINNEAR... 2.5 INCHES. RIVERTON AIRPORT... 2.3 INCHES. RIVERTON TOWN... 1.7 INCHES. LANDER AIRPORT... 1.3 INCHES. HUDSON... 0.5 INCHES. BURRIS... 0.3 INCHES. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. THERMOPOLIS... 1.5-2.5 INCHES. JOHNSON COUNTY... HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. BEAR TRAP MEADOW SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. LITTLE GOOSE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 3 NNE KAYCEE... 2.5 INCHES. 17 NNW KAYCEE... 1.7 INCHES. BUFFALO... 1.5 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... CASPER... 2.5-3.2 INCHES. CASPER MOUNTAIN... 3 INCHES. POWDER RIVER... 2.5 INCHES. CASPER AIRPORT... 2.1 INCHES. GRAVE SPRING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. CODY... 6-8 INCHES. MEETEETSE... 5-8 INCHES. EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. TIMBER CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. 4 ENE POWELL... 4.7 INCHES. 3 NE CLARK... 4.5 INCHES. 3 NE SUNSHINE... 4.4 INCHES. POWELL... 3-3.7 INCHES. PAHASKA... 1 INCH. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 23 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 19 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 19 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 16 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 15 INCHES. LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 15 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. DANIEL FISH HATCHERY... 6.4 INCHES. PINEDALE... 4-6.4 INCHES. BOULDER REARING STATION... 2.5 INCHES. BONDURANT... 1.4 INCHES. SWEETWATER COUNTY... 2 E EDEN... 3 INCHES. BUCKBOARD MARINA... 2.5 INCHES. ROCK SPRINGS... TRACE. TETON COUNTY... JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 23 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 20 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 19 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-MID... 18 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 15 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 11 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 7 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-BASE... 6 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. 3 SSW WILSON... 5 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. SNOW KING... 4 INCHES. JACKSON... 2-4 INCHES. 2 NE TETON VILLAGE... 4 INCHES. MOOSE... 4 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. ALTA... 3.5 INCHES. DARWIN RANCH... 1 INCH. WASHAKIE COUNTY... POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. MIDDLE POWDER SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. 16 SSE TEN SLEEP... 3.5 INCHES. 14 SSE TEN SLEEP... 3 INCHES. TEN SLEEP... 1.9 INCHES. WINCHESTER... 1 INCH. 8 SW WORLAND... 0.8 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 5.5 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 3 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 2 INCHES. TOWER FALLS RANGER STATION... 1.2 INCHES. OLD FAITHFUL RANGER STATION... 1 INCH.
Four Stormy Weeks
Star Valley and much of western Wyoming have experienced a particularly impressive period of stormy weather. Below are two images from the Star Valley Ranch snow stake. The snow depth as of Sunday Feb 23rd has about covered the stake in excess of 3 feet.
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| Star Valley Ranch snow stake Nov 21 2013 |
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| Star Valley Ranch snow stake Feb 23 2014 |
The three active CoCoRaHS observers in Star Valley have totaled some impressive precipitation amounts in the past 4 weeks.
Both the Thayne and Smoot observers have measured in excess of 5 feet in the past 4 weeks. However the Star Valley Ranch observation which has an incomplete snow total has had almost an inch more precipitation.
The Star Valley Ranch observer has had at least a trace of precipitation on 28 consecutive days!
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Snowfall Totals for Latest Storm through Saturday afternoon.
...PRELIMINARY SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 21ST THROUGH 1 PM FEBRUARY 22ND... A COLD FRONT STARTED TO PUSH ACROSS THE NORTH AND WEST YESTERDAY... AND CONTINUED SOUTHWARD ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE STATE LAST NIGHT THROUGH TODAY. HERE ARE THE LATEST SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM 8 AM FEBRUARY 21ST THROUGH 1 PM TODAY. LOCATION SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY... SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 13 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. OSMOND... 8.5 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. AUBURN... 6 INCHES. COKEVILLE... 5.5 INCHES. FAIRVIEW... 5.25 INCHES. 5 SSE SMOOT... 5 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 4 INCHES. KEMMERER... 3.5 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 3 INCHES. AFTON... 2.9 INCHES. 1 SW KEMMERER... 2.5 INCHES. STAR VALLEY RANCH... 2 INCHES. 2 SE THAYNE... 1.7 INCHES. BOX Y RANCH... 1 INCH.
BIG HORN COUNTY... BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. BONE SPRINGS DIVIDE SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. POWDER RIVER PASS... 7 INCHES. LOVELL... 4-5 INCHES. SHELL... 2 INCHES. GREYBULL... 1.8 INCHES. OTTO... 1.5 INCHES. 5 WNW BASIN... 1 INCH. FREMONT COUNTY... SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. DEER PARK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. DUBOIS... 0.5-1 INCH. ATLANTIC CITY... 0.5 INCHES. RIVERTON AIRPORT... 0.1 INCHES. LANDER AIRPORT... 0.1 INCHES. HOT SPRINGS COUNTY... OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. THERMOPOLIS... 1-2 INCHES. JOHNSON COUNTY... CLOUD PEAK RESERVOIR SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. BEAR TRAP MEADOW SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. HANSEN SAWMILL SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. SOLDIER PARK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. LITTLE GOOSE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 3 NNE KAYCEE... 2.5 INCHES. 17 NNW KAYCEE... 1.7 INCHES. BUFFALO... 1-2 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... 11 ESE CASPER... 1.2 INCHES. GRAVE SPRING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. POWDER RIVER... 0.5 INCHES. CASPER... 0.3 INCHES. CASPER MOUNTAIN... 0.3 INCHES. CASPER AIRPORT... TRACE. PARK COUNTY... BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. CODY... 4-6 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. POWELL... 3-4.5 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. 3 NE CLARK... 3 INCHES. TIMBER CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. MEETEETSE... 3 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 3 NE SUNSHINE... 2.4 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. 14 NW PINEDALE... 0.6 INCHES. BOULDER REARING STATION... 0.5 INCHES. PINEDALE... 0.5 INCHES. SWEETWATER COUNTY... 2 E EDEN... 3 INCHES. TETON COUNTY... TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 4 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 4 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 2 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 1 INCH. SNOW KING... 1 INCH. JACKSON HOLE-MID... 1 INCH. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 1 INCH. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 1 INCH. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 4 SSW JACKSON... 0.5 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-BASE... 0.1 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... MIDDLE POWDER SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. TEN SLEEP... 1.5 INCHES. WINCHESTER... 0.8 INCHES. 8 SW WORLAND... 0.5 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 2 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 1.5 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 1 INCH.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Weekly Weather Video-More Snow
Following is the video issued by Riverton Forecast Office summarizing expected weather into next week.
Weekly Weather Briefing
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Snow and WInd Reports for Wednesday February 19 2014
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY 738 PM MST WED FEB 19 2014 A WEATHER SYSTEM BROUGHT SOME SNOW TO WESTERN WYOMING AND SNOW SHOWERS TO PARTS OF CENTRAL WYOMING. HERE ARE SNOWFALL TOTALS THROUGH 600 PM WEDNESDAY EVENING. LOCATION SNOWFALL LINCOLN COUNTY... ALPINE... 7 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 5 INCHES.
BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
STAR VALLEY RANCH... 4 INCHES.
BOX Y RANCH... 4 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 3 INCHES. 2 SE THAYNE... 1.2 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... CASPER MOUNTAIN... 1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 1 INCH. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 1 INCH. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 1 INCH. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. TETON COUNTY... JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 9 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 9 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 5 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-MID... 4 INCHES. ALTA... 3.5 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 3 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 4 SSW JACKSON... 1.7 INCHES. JACKSON... 1.5 INCHES. JACKSON DAM... 1.2 INCHES. 5 NW JACKSON... 1 INCH. 12 NE JACKSON... 1 INCH. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 3 SSW WILSON... 1 INCH. MOOSE... 0.8 INCHES. 2 NE TETON VILLAGE... 0.7 INCHES. 3 WNW JACKSON... 0.5 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-BASE... 0.5 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. TOWER FALLS RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. CANYON SNOTEL... 1 INCH. LAMAR RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. HERE ARE PEAK WIND GUSTS FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE LATEST WIND REPORTS ARE IN MPH FROM MIDNIGHT UNTIL 600 PM FEBRUARY 19. LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE ...BIG HORN... GREYBULL AIRPORT (3935 FT) 49 1105 AM 02/19 ...FREMONT... RED CANYON (6768 FT) 65 0550 AM 02/19 7 SW MUDDY GAP (7380 FT) 59 0950 AM 02/19 RIVERTON AIRPORT (5525 FT) 51 0104 PM 02/19 BEAVER RIM (6784 FT) 47 1206 PM 02/19 10 W FORT WASHAKIE (9235 FT) 47 0501 AM 02/19 JEFFREY CITY (6374 FT) 45 1140 AM 02/19 LANDER AIRPORT (5586 FT) 44 1042 AM 02/19 9 SW LANDER (7085 FT) 42 0445 AM 02/19 7 NW LANDER (5797 FT) 41 0606 AM 02/19 8 W SOUTH PASS CITY (8120 FT) 41 1250 PM 02/19 1 WNW DUBOIS (7014 FT) 40 1039 AM 02/19 ...HOT SPRINGS... 10 S MEETEETSE (7127 FT) 48 0642 AM 02/19 BOYSEN RESERVOIR (7300 FT) 44 0915 AM 02/19 ...JOHNSON... 13 NNW BUFFALO (4737 FT) 65 0950 AM 02/19 7 SW BARNUM (6440 FT) 63 0246 AM 02/19 BUFFALO AIRPORT (4970 FT) 58 0101 PM 02/19 12 N KAYCEE (5287 FT) 57 1231 AM 02/19 25 ESE BUFFALO (4657 FT) 55 1210 PM 02/19 5 ESE STORY (4673 FT) 55 0946 AM 02/19 8 ENE BUFFALO (4370 FT) 47 1039 AM 02/19 20 SW ECHETA (4068 FT) 42 1055 AM 02/19 ...LINCOLN... MT COFFIN (10870 FT) 83 0515 AM 02/19 ...NATRONA... 16 S HILAND (6380 FT) 57 1010 AM 02/19 CASPER AIRPORT (5320 FT) 54 0106 PM 02/19 2 SE HILAND (6134 FT) 53 1205 PM 02/19 19 N CASPER (5677 FT) 48 1205 PM 02/19 7 W ALCOVA (6342 FT) 45 1250 PM 02/19 8 S CASPER (7740 FT) 45 1052 AM 02/19 ...PARK... 5 WNW CLARK (4659 FT) 81 1234 AM 02/19 HOYT PEAK (9800 FT) 78 0830 AM 02/19 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY (8136 FT) 64 1230 PM 02/19 3 E PAHASKA (7500 FT) 58 0857 AM 02/19 1 W CLARK (4270 FT) 52 0228 AM 02/19 2 N FRANNIE (4275 FT) 51 1025 AM 02/19 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY MILE 9 50 0212 PM 02/19 8 N MEETEETSE (5926 FT) 48 1016 AM 02/19 10 WNW CODY (8401 FT) 47 1240 AM 02/19 8 S CLARK (4710 FT) 46 0145 AM 02/19 14 S SYLVAN PASS (8650 FT) 45 0908 AM 02/19 1 W POWELL (4462 FT) 41 0236 PM 02/19 1 WNW POWELL (4386 FT) 40 0245 PM 02/19 ...SUBLETTE... 21 W BIG PINEY (8200 FT) 50 0309 PM 02/19 BIG PINEY AIRPORT (6974 FT) 43 0143 PM 02/19 ...SWEETWATER... FARSON (6594 FT) 50 1145 AM 02/19 1 NNE GREEN RIVER (6315 FT) 49 0132 PM 02/19 I 80 - MILE MARKER 142 48 0350 PM 02/19 ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT (6760 FT) 48 0330 PM 02/19 15 SE ROCK SPRINGS (7550 FT) 47 0344 PM 02/19 5 E ROCK SPRINGS (6369 FT) 45 0325 PM 02/19 22 NNE GRANGER (6322 FT) 45 1108 AM 02/19 7 WSW ROCK SPRINGS (6238 FT) 43 1125 AM 02/19 7 WNW GREEN RIVER (6387 FT) 42 0157 PM 02/19 I 80 - MILE MARKER 157 40 0145 PM 02/19 23 W WAMSUTTER (6804 FT) 40 0400 PM 02/19 ...TETON... SUMMIT - JACKSON RESORT 60 1115 AM 02/19 RAYMER - JACKSON RESORT 58 1030 AM 02/19 5 ENE ALTA - FREDS MTN 46 0400 AM 02/19 ...WASHAKIE... WORLAND AIRPORT (4245 FT) 51 1145 AM 02/19 S. BIGHORN MTS (6554 FT) 46 1240 PM 02/19
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Snowfall and Winds in Western Wyoming Sunday February 16 2014
Of note are the very strong winds around mid day across Star Valley. The highest gust was 60 MPH in Afton.
508 PM MST SUN FEB 16 2014 ...PRELIMINARY STORM INFORMATION... BELOW ARE THE SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM YESTERDAY EVENING THROUGH 1 PM TODAY...AND HIGH WIND REPORTS FROM MIDNIGHT TODAY THROUGH 5 PM THIS EVENING. *** SNOWFALL REPORTS...FROM YESTERDAY EVENING THROUGH 1 PM TODAY. *** LOCATION SNOWFALLLINCOLN COUNTY... WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 3 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES.FREMONT COUNTY... CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. BROOKS LAKE LODGE... 3 INCHES. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. PAHASKA... 1 INCH. SUBLETTE COUNTY... TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. 14 NW PINEDALE... 1.6 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 1 INCH. BOULDER REARING STATION... 1 INCH. PINEDALE... 0.2 INCHES. TETON COUNTY... GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 3 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 2 INCHES. 5 NW JACKSON... 2 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 2 INCHES. ALTA... 1.5 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 1 INCH. JACKSON HOLE-MID... 1 INCH. 3 SSW WILSON... 0.5 INCHES. SNOW KING... 0.1 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 1.5 INCHES. OLD FAITHFUL RANGER STATION... 1 INCH. YELLOWSTONE EAST ENTRANCE... 1 INCH. ***** PEAK WIND REPORTS...FROM MIDNIGHT THROUGH 5 PM TODAY. ***** LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE ...WYOMING......LINCOLN... AFTON (6267 FT) 60 1157 AM 02/16 KEMMERER AIRPORT (7285 FT) 49 1235 PM 02/16 9 N KEMMERER (7129 FT) 49 0127 PM 02/16 3 NW ETNA (5692 FT) 47 1136 AM 02/16 4 NE THAYNE (6217 FT) 43 1148 AM 02/16...BIG HORN... GREYBULL AIRPORT (3935 FT) 46 0303 PM 02/16 30 E GREYBULL (8898 FT) 45 0358 PM 02/16 ...FREMONT... 7 SW MUDDY GAP (7380 FT) 65 0450 PM 02/16 RED CANYON (6768 FT) 60 0835 AM 02/16 10 W FORT WASHAKIE (9235 FT) 58 1201 AM 02/16 10 N DUBOIS (8085 FT) 49 0157 PM 02/16 RIVERTON AIRPORT (5525 FT) 47 0321 PM 02/16 8 W SOUTH PASS CITY (8120 FT) 47 0250 PM 02/16 JEFFREY CITY (6374 FT) 46 0200 PM 02/16 BEAVER RIM (6784 FT) 46 0736 AM 02/16 LANDER AIRPORT (5586 FT) 46 0215 PM 02/16 SOUTH PASS (8491 FT) 43 0415 PM 02/16 9 SW LANDER (7085 FT) 42 0415 AM 02/16 10 W DUBOIS (8432 FT) 41 0103 PM 02/16 ...HOT SPRINGS... BOYSEN RESERVOIR (7300 FT) 66 0235 PM 02/16 10 S MEETEETSE (7127 FT) 61 0642 AM 02/16 ...JOHNSON... 7 SW BARNUM (6440 FT) 57 1146 PM 02/15 BUFFALO AIRPORT (4970 FT) 48 0337 PM 02/16 8 ENE BUFFALO (4370 FT) 47 0301 PM 02/16 KAYCEE (4681 FT) 45 0331 PM 02/16 2 NW MAYOWORTH (5404 FT) 43 0908 AM 02/16 ...NATRONA... 16 S HILAND (6380 FT) 62 0210 PM 02/16 CASPER AIRPORT (5320 FT) 49 0246 PM 02/16 8 S CASPER (7740 FT) 44 0252 PM 02/16 ...PARK... 5 WNW CLARK (4659 FT) 70 1143 PM 02/15 HOYT PEAK (9800 FT) 67 1030 AM 02/16 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY (8136 FT) 59 1000 AM 02/16 3 E PAHASKA (7500 FT) 57 0157 PM 02/16 1 W CLARK (4270 FT) 56 0522 AM 02/16 8 N MEETEETSE (5926 FT) 47 0146 AM 02/16 10 WNW CODY (8401 FT) 47 0240 PM 02/16 1 WNW POWELL (4386 FT) 46 0114 PM 02/16 MEETEETSE (5797 FT) 43 0154 PM 02/16 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY MILE 9 42 0112 PM 02/16 2 N FRANNIE (4275 FT) 42 0140 PM 02/16 14 S SYLVAN PASS (8650 FT) 40 0908 AM 02/16 ...SUBLETTE... BIG PINEY AIRPORT (6974 FT) 51 1246 PM 02/16 21 W BIG PINEY (8200 FT) 49 0409 PM 02/16 7 NE PINEDALE (8530 FT) 46 0126 PM 02/16 PINEDALE AIRPORT (7085 FT) 46 1255 PM 02/16 ...SWEETWATER... 15 SE ROCK SPRINGS (7550 FT) 72 0344 PM 02/16 ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT (6760 FT) 61 0136 PM 02/16 22 NNE GRANGER (6322 FT) 51 0343 PM 02/16 ...TETON... SUMMIT - JACKSON RESORT 59 1015 AM 02/16 RAYMER - JACKSON RESORT 52 1000 AM 02/16 2 SW TETON VILLAGE (6221 FT) 43 1203 PM 02/16 5 ENE ALTA - FREDS MTN 43 0515 AM 02/16 ...WASHAKIE... S. BIGHORN MTS (6554 FT) 50 0440 PM 02/16 12 ENE TEN SLEEP (8202 FT) 40 0414 PM 02/16
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Wyoming Water Supply Outlook
The first outlook of the Winter has been issued based on snowpack through January. Since then in Western Wyoming the first half of February has seen an additional impressive increase in snowpacks. Wyoming appears to be headed for a very favorable runoff this spring.
Wyoming Water Supply Outlook---February 12, 2014
…Wyoming January precipitation was nearly 115 percent of average...
...Current water year precipitation is averaging nearly 130 percent of normal across Wyoming…
…Mountain snowpack across Wyoming is 120 to 135 percent of average...
…Near normal snowmelt streamflow volumes are expected this runoff season across major basins in Wyoming...
…Wyoming reservoir storages remain at 85 to 90 percent of average for January…
January precipitation totals Wyoming were nearly 115 percent of average. Precipitation numbers varied between 188 percent of normal over the Crow/Lodgepole Creek Drainages (Southeast Wyoming) to near 77 percent of normal over the Upper Bear Basin (Southwest Wyoming). Current water year (October 2013 - January 2014) precipitation across Wyoming is nearly 130percent of average.
Near normal (90 to 110 percent) snowmelt streamflow volumes are expected across almost all major basins across Wyoming. Above average streamflow volumes continue to be expected across the Powder River Watershed. Belowaverage streamflow volumes during the upcoming snowmelt season continue to be forecasted for the Lower Green, Sweetwater, and lower portions of the Wind River Basin.
Reservoirs storages across Wyoming remain slightly below average for February.
Snow Totals for most recent storm
BELOW ARE SOME SNOWFALL TOTALS AS OF NOON SATURDAY.
LOCATION SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY... INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 17 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 17 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 16 INCHES. SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 16 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 14 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 11 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. BOX Y RANCH... 9 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 6 INCHES. COKEVILLE... 4.5 INCHES. ALPINE... 4 INCHES. FOSSIL BUTTE... 0.5 INCHES.
BIG HORN COUNTY...
POWDER RIVER PASS... 3 INCHES.
BALD MOUNTAIN SNOTEL... 2 INCHES.
SHELL CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH.
FREMONT COUNTY...
BROOKS LAKE LODGE... 9 INCHES.
DEER PARK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES.
SOUTH PASS... 6 INCHES.
LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 4 INCHES.
COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES.
ATLANTIC CITY... 2.5 INCHES.
HOT SPRINGS COUNTY...
OWL CREEK SNOTEL... 1 INCH.
PARK COUNTY...
BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 7 INCHES.
KIRWIN SNOTEL... 6 INCHES.
BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
PAHASKA... 3 INCHES.
WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES.
TIMBER CREEK SNOTEL... 3 INCHES.
MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 2 INCHES.
LAMAR RANGER STATION... 1 INCH.
SUBLETTE COUNTY...
TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 15 INCHES.
SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 11 INCHES.
LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 11 INCHES.
LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 9 INCHES.
PINEDALE... 9 INCHES.
GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 9 INCHES.
ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 8 INCHES.
KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 8 INCHES.
BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 8 INCHES.
EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 7 INCHES.
POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES.
BONDURANT... 4.5 INCHES.
NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES.
3 SW BOULDER... 1 INCH.
SWEETWATER COUNTY...
TETON COUNTY...
GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 15 INCHES.
GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 15 INCHES.
JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 14 INCHES.
JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 14 INCHES.
JACKSON HOLE-MID... 13.5 INCHES.
GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 13 INCHES.
GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 13 INCHES.
PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 12 INCHES.
TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 9 INCHES.
SNOW KING... 9 INCHES.
BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 8 INCHES.
GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 6 INCHES.
JACKSON HOLE-BASE... 5 INCHES.
SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
MOOSE... 2 INCHES.
TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 2 INCHES.
MOOSE... 1.5 INCHES.
1 NNW ALTA... 1 INCH.
ALTA... 0.8 INCHES.
WASHAKIE COUNTY...
16 SSE TEN SLEEP... 1.5 INCHES.
POWDER RIVER PASS SNOTEL... 1 INCH.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK...
LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES.
TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 6 INCHES.
SNAKE RIVER RANGER STATION... 5 INCHES.
PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES.
SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES.
SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 4 INCHES.
EAST ENTRANCE RANGER STATION... 4 INCHES.
THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 3 INCHES.
TOWER FALLS RANGER STATION... 1 INCH.
$$
Avalanche Warning Salt and Wyoming Ranges Saturday February 15,2014
The following warning has been issued by the Jackson Avalance Center for most of the mountains of western and northwestern Wyoming. No traveling in or near these areas are recommended.
This is a link to specific details of the warning
Avalanche Warning
For additional information on these conditions visit
Bridger Teton Avalanche Center
 |
| Avalanche warning areas 2/15/14 |
This is a link to specific details of the warning
Avalanche Warning
For additional information on these conditions visit
Bridger Teton Avalanche Center
Friday, February 14, 2014
Cliff Mass Calls the Media on Climate Change Misinformation
Cliff Mass, Professor of Meteorology at the University Of Washington has blogged on the misleading messages the public is receiving from the media on the Issue of Climate Change vs Weather.
Why does the Seattle Times and other media misinform the public about climate change?
The Seattle Times is REALLY getting to be a frustration when it comes to its coverage of climate change. Here are the headlines from their CloseUp section on Tuesday.
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They start silly: "Freezing out the bigger picture" and then degrade into a statement that is without any factual basis: "Arctic blasts tied to climate change"
This story was written by Justin Willis of the New York Times and the only sentences that suggest a connection with global warming are:
"Though the case is as yet unproven, a handful of scientists think the 50-degree temperatures in London and the frigid weather in Minneapolis might be a consequence of climate change. They contend the massive decline of sea ice in the Arctic has destabilized a weather pattern that normally keeps frigid air bottled up near the pole. That pattern is known as the polar vortex, and its boundary is a fast-moving river of air called the jet stream. When the vortex weakens, the jet stream can develop big kinks, creating zones of extreme heat and cold."
Who are these "handful" of scientists? As I explained in a previous blog, the evidence that global warming causes an increase in cold waves is non-existent, and the one or two studies that suggest it have serious methodological problems. If you want to read more about this, some of the leading climatologists in the U.S. published a letter in Science Magazine noting there are little support for theglobal warming causes cold waves hypothesis.
As climate scientists, we share the prevailing view in our community that human-induced global warming is happening and that, without mitigating measures, the Earth will continue to warm over the next century with serious consequences. But we consider it unlikely that those consequences will include more frigid winters.
Even in a warming climate, we could experience an extraordinary run of cold winters, but harsher winters in future decades are not among the most likely nor the most serious consequences of global warming.
At the recent American Meteorological Society meeting in Atlanta I talked to some of the leading theoretical meteorologists in the country: they told me that the supposed global warming/cold wave hypothesis does not have any physical basis.
And as noted in the Seattle Times/NY Times article, cold waves are becoming LESS frequent and of shorter duration as the earth warms.
The global warming causing cold wave hypothesis is contradicted by both observations and theory. Why does the media like the Seattle Times state something that is without scientific basis?
And yes, the Seattle Times has a lot of company in the meteorological exaggeration department. The same day CBS Evening News was talking about a "catastrophic, historic storm." Folks, our friends on the East
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Coast have had some snow, ice, and wind associated with a low pressure system moving up the coast. A serious event. But this was not an extreme event and the snow totals were really unexceptional. Want proof? Here are the NY area totals around 5 PM PST today:
Yes...they had around a foot in some places, with lesser amounts near the coast. Catastrophic? Hardly--the schools even stayed open. Record breaking and historic? December 26, 2010 they got 20 inches. February 12, 2006 they had 27 inches on the ground. There are a lot more like that.
CBS Morning News continued with the misinformation campaign, inviting a non-meteorologist, but theoretical physicist, Michio Kaku, to opine about the origin of the cold weather. Charlie Rose, Norah O'Donnell, and Gayle King did the interview.
KAKU: Well, the wacky weather could get even wackier. What we're seeing is that the jet stream and the polar vortex are becoming unstable. Instability of historic proportions. Now think of the polar vortex as a bucket, a swirling bucket of cold air. However, the walls are weakening. Cold air is spilling out, spilling out over the walls of the bucket. And the question is, why? Why is this polar vortex weakening? We think it's because of the gradual heating up of the North Pole. The North Pole is melting.
ROSE: Global warming.
KAKU: That excess heat -- that excess heat generated by all this warm water is destabilizing this gigantic bucket of cold air, weakening this low pressure region, causing cold air to spill out over the United States. So that's the irony, that heating could cause gigantic storms of historic proportions.
Nothing that Dr. Kaku said made sense. He proposed the bucket theory of climate change. There is no basis for his cliams in in theory or observations. His bucket analog seems silly. But a major network seems to be taking the global warming/cold wave hypothesis hook, line, and sinker. Kind of sad, really.
In summary, there is an extraordinary amount of hype, misinformation, and exaggeration occurring in the media these days about cold waves and climate change. Global warming will reduce the frequency of cold waves and increase the frequency of heat waves. The existence of cold waves, even the large numbers of cold waves this year, says nothing about whether global warming will occur in the future.
One thing is clear, media misinformation about this topic is undermining the credibility of the scientific community, promulgating false information to the public, and serves as a great aid to those who deny global warming will be a serious threat later in this century.
Slowly, leading climatologists are starting to realize the potential harm caused by all the hype, false information, and exaggeration and are starting to speak out about it. But huge damage has already been done and perhaps a majority of the population believe that weather has generally become more extreme due to increases in greenhouse gases produced by mankind--something that is at odds with the scientific literature.
They start silly: "Freezing out the bigger picture" and then degrade into a statement that is without any factual basis: "Arctic blasts tied to climate change"
This story was written by Justin Willis of the New York Times and the only sentences that suggest a connection with global warming are:
"Though the case is as yet unproven, a handful of scientists think the 50-degree temperatures in London and the frigid weather in Minneapolis might be a consequence of climate change. They contend the massive decline of sea ice in the Arctic has destabilized a weather pattern that normally keeps frigid air bottled up near the pole. That pattern is known as the polar vortex, and its boundary is a fast-moving river of air called the jet stream. When the vortex weakens, the jet stream can develop big kinks, creating zones of extreme heat and cold."
Who are these "handful" of scientists? As I explained in a previous blog, the evidence that global warming causes an increase in cold waves is non-existent, and the one or two studies that suggest it have serious methodological problems. If you want to read more about this, some of the leading climatologists in the U.S. published a letter in Science Magazine noting there are little support for theglobal warming causes cold waves hypothesis.
As climate scientists, we share the prevailing view in our community that human-induced global warming is happening and that, without mitigating measures, the Earth will continue to warm over the next century with serious consequences. But we consider it unlikely that those consequences will include more frigid winters.
Even in a warming climate, we could experience an extraordinary run of cold winters, but harsher winters in future decades are not among the most likely nor the most serious consequences of global warming.
At the recent American Meteorological Society meeting in Atlanta I talked to some of the leading theoretical meteorologists in the country: they told me that the supposed global warming/cold wave hypothesis does not have any physical basis.
And as noted in the Seattle Times/NY Times article, cold waves are becoming LESS frequent and of shorter duration as the earth warms.
The global warming causing cold wave hypothesis is contradicted by both observations and theory. Why does the media like the Seattle Times state something that is without scientific basis?
And yes, the Seattle Times has a lot of company in the meteorological exaggeration department. The same day CBS Evening News was talking about a "catastrophic, historic storm." Folks, our friends on the East
Coast have had some snow, ice, and wind associated with a low pressure system moving up the coast. A serious event. But this was not an extreme event and the snow totals were really unexceptional. Want proof? Here are the NY area totals around 5 PM PST today:
Yes...they had around a foot in some places, with lesser amounts near the coast. Catastrophic? Hardly--the schools even stayed open. Record breaking and historic? December 26, 2010 they got 20 inches. February 12, 2006 they had 27 inches on the ground. There are a lot more like that.
CBS Morning News continued with the misinformation campaign, inviting a non-meteorologist, but theoretical physicist, Michio Kaku, to opine about the origin of the cold weather. Charlie Rose, Norah O'Donnell, and Gayle King did the interview.
KAKU: Well, the wacky weather could get even wackier. What we're seeing is that the jet stream and the polar vortex are becoming unstable. Instability of historic proportions. Now think of the polar vortex as a bucket, a swirling bucket of cold air. However, the walls are weakening. Cold air is spilling out, spilling out over the walls of the bucket. And the question is, why? Why is this polar vortex weakening? We think it's because of the gradual heating up of the North Pole. The North Pole is melting.
ROSE: Global warming.
KAKU: That excess heat -- that excess heat generated by all this warm water is destabilizing this gigantic bucket of cold air, weakening this low pressure region, causing cold air to spill out over the United States. So that's the irony, that heating could cause gigantic storms of historic proportions.
Nothing that Dr. Kaku said made sense. He proposed the bucket theory of climate change. There is no basis for his cliams in in theory or observations. His bucket analog seems silly. But a major network seems to be taking the global warming/cold wave hypothesis hook, line, and sinker. Kind of sad, really.
The Bucket Theory of Global Warming's Effects
In summary, there is an extraordinary amount of hype, misinformation, and exaggeration occurring in the media these days about cold waves and climate change. Global warming will reduce the frequency of cold waves and increase the frequency of heat waves. The existence of cold waves, even the large numbers of cold waves this year, says nothing about whether global warming will occur in the future.
One thing is clear, media misinformation about this topic is undermining the credibility of the scientific community, promulgating false information to the public, and serves as a great aid to those who deny global warming will be a serious threat later in this century.
Slowly, leading climatologists are starting to realize the potential harm caused by all the hype, false information, and exaggeration and are starting to speak out about it. But huge damage has already been done and perhaps a majority of the population believe that weather has generally become more extreme due to increases in greenhouse gases produced by mankind--something that is at odds with the scientific literature.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Video Weather Briefing-Thursday 2/13/14
Highlight of the next 7 days will be continued snow potential. This is highlighted in the Riverton Forecast Office weekly video weather briefing
Video Weather Briefing
Video Weather Briefing
Snow Pack continues to improve in Wyoming
There has been a dramatic improvement in the winter snowpack in much of the mountains of western Wyoming. To illustrate the two important SNOTEL sites in the Salt Range are now substantially above normal levels for the season.
Over the past 30 days much of Wyoming has fared well, particularly west of the Continental Divide.
The latest drought condition map show that Wyoming generally has little concern unlike further south and west.
Another wet storm will be moving into the Northwestern States and bring more snow to Western Wyoming over the next days. It will be a rather warm storm, with at least rain at times in the valleys below 7000 feet, including Star Valley.
The infrared satellite image Thursday afternoon show the stream of moisture originating from near Hawaii heading toward Wyoming.
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| Cottonwood SNOTEL as of Feb 13 2014 |
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| Willow Creek SNOTEL as of Feb 13 2014 |
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| Precipitation in inches from January 14-February 13 2014 |
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| Percent of Normal precipitation from January 14-February 13 2014 |
Another wet storm will be moving into the Northwestern States and bring more snow to Western Wyoming over the next days. It will be a rather warm storm, with at least rain at times in the valleys below 7000 feet, including Star Valley.
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| Forecast precipitation from 6pm Thursday Feb 13-6pm Sunday Feb 16 2014. |
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| Add caption |
FInal Totals on Latest Storm as of Thursday Noon
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RIVERTON WY 1259 PM MST THU FEB 13 2014 ANOTHER WINTER STORM BEGAN TO IMPACT THE WEST ON WEDNESDAY...SNOW WILL TAPER OFF TONIGHT. BELOW ARE THE SNOW AND WIND REPORTS FROM EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH NOON THURSDAY. LOCATION SNOWFALL
LINCOLN COUNTY... ALPINE... 10-24 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 22 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 21 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 17 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 14 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. BOX Y RANCH... 10 INCHES. BEDFORD... 8 INCHES. STAR VALLEY RANCH... 7.5 INCHES. 2 SE THAYNE... 6.2 INCHES. 21 NNW KEMMERER... 5 INCHES. 5 SSE SMOOT... 5 INCHES. 3 W AFTON... 4.5 INCHES. AFTON... 3 INCHES.
FREMONT COUNTY... BROOKS LAKE LODGE... 9 INCHES. CASTLE CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. LITTLE WARM SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. ST. LAWRENCE ALT SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. COLD SPRINGS SNOTEL... 3 INCHES. TOWNSEND CREEK SNOTEL... 2 INCHES. SOUTH PASS SNOTEL... 1 INCH. HOBBS PARK SNOTEL... 1 INCH. JOHNSON COUNTY... 7 NE BUFFALO... 1.2 INCHES. LINCOLN COUNTY... ALPINE... 10-24 INCHES. INDIAN CREEK SNOTEL... 22 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. WILLOW CREEK SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. SPRING CREEK DIVIDE SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. COMMISSARY RIDGE... 21 INCHES. COTTONWOOD CREEK SNOTEL... 17 INCHES. BLIND BULL SUMMIT... 14 INCHES. KELLEY RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. SALT RIVER SUMMIT SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. HAMS FORK SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. BOX Y RANCH... 10 INCHES. BEDFORD... 8 INCHES. STAR VALLEY RANCH... 7.5 INCHES. 2 SE THAYNE... 6.2 INCHES. 21 NNW KEMMERER... 5 INCHES. 5 SSE SMOOT... 5 INCHES. 3 W AFTON... 4.5 INCHES. AFTON... 3 INCHES. NATRONA COUNTY... CASPER... 0.5-1 INCH. PARK COUNTY... EVENING STAR SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. BLACKWATER SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. BEARTOOTH LAKE SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. WOLVERINE SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. KIRWIN SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. PAHASKA... 4 INCHES. MARQUETTE SNOTEL... 1 INCH. 1 W POWELL... 0.7 INCHES. 4 SW POWELL... 0.4 INCHES. 5 ESE CODY... 0.2 INCHES. 4 SE CODY... 0.1 INCHES. SUBLETTE COUNTY... KENDALL RANGER STATION SNOTEL... 16 INCHES. LOOMIS PARK SNOTEL... 13 INCHES. TRIPLE PEAK SNOTEL... 13 INCHES. 14 NW PINEDALE... 9.8 INCHES. BONDURANT... 9.5 INCHES. EAST RIM DIVIDE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. NEW FORK LAKE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. ELKHART PARK G.S. SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. SNIDER BASIN SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. GUNSITE PASS SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. POCKET CREEK SNOTEL... 7 INCHES. LARSEN CREEK SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. BIG SANDY OPENING SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. PINEDALE... 2-2.5 INCHES. TETON COUNTY... HOBACK JUNCTION 29 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE SNOTEL... 23 INCHES. GRASSY LAKE SNOTEL... 21 INCHES. PHILLIPS BENCH SNOTEL... 18 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RENDEZVOUS BOWL... 14 INCHES. GRANITE CREEK SNOTEL... 13 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-RAYMER... 13 INCHES. BASE CAMP SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-MID... 12 INCHES. 2 NE TETON VILLAGE... 11 INCHES. 5 NW JACKSON... 10.5 INCHES. SNAKE RIVER STN SNOTEL... 10 INCHES. SNOW KING... 9 INCHES. GRAND TARGHEE-CHIEF JOSEPH... 9 INCHES. JACKSON HOLE-BASE... 8.1 INCHES. TOGWOTEE PASS SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. JACKSON... 2-6 INCHES. 1 ENE TETON VILLAGE... 6 INCHES. TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE... 6 INCHES. ALTA... 6 INCHES. SNOW KING SKI AREA... 6 INCHES. 2 WSW JACKSON... 5.5 INCHES. 4 SW JACKSON... 5 INCHES. GROS VENTRE SUMMIT SNOTEL... 5 INCHES. WILSON... 7-13.5 INCHES. MOOSE... 4-5 INCHES. 4 SSW JACKSON... 1.5 INCHES. 12 NE JACKSON... 1 INCH. 3 WNW JACKSON... 0.9 INCHES. WASHAKIE COUNTY... 27 S TEN SLEEP... 0.5 INCHES. TEN SLEEP... 0.3 INCHES. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK... LEWIS LAKE DIVIDE SNOTEL... 26 INCHES. TWO OCEAN PLATEAU SNOTEL... 12 INCHES. THUMB DIVIDE SNOTEL... 9 INCHES. PARKER PEAK SNOTEL... 8 INCHES. SYLVAN ROAD SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. SYLVAN LAKE SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. CANYON SNOTEL... 4 INCHES. ...LATEST WIND REPORTS... LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE ...WYOMING... ...BIG HORN... 30 E GREYBULL (8898 FT) 43 0558 PM 02/11 ...FREMONT... 7 SW MUDDY GAP (7380 FT) 77 1150 AM 02/12 7 NW LANDER (5797 FT) 61 1142 PM 02/12 BEAVER RIM (6784 FT) 57 1016 AM 02/12 2 W SOUTH PASS CITY (8185 FT) 54 0801 AM 02/12 10 W FORT WASHAKIE (9235 FT) 52 0701 AM 02/13 SOUTH PASS (8491 FT) 51 0655 AM 02/13 RED CANYON (6768 FT) 50 0850 PM 02/12 JEFFREY CITY (6374 FT) 49 1030 AM 02/12 9 SW LANDER (7085 FT) 48 1130 PM 02/12 DUBOIS (6980FT) 46 0919 AM 02/12 6 S TOGWOTEE PASS (10430 FT) 45 0900 AM 02/13 10 N DUBOIS (8085 FT) 44 0657 PM 02/11 LANDER AIRPORT (5586 FT) 44 1037 PM 02/12 1 WNW DUBOIS (7014 FT) 43 1019 AM 02/12 ...HOT SPRINGS... BOYSEN RESERVOIR (7300 FT) 59 0455 PM 02/12 10 S MEETEETSE (7127 FT) 49 0342 PM 02/12 ...JOHNSON... 5 ESE STORY (4673 FT) 69 0316 PM 02/12 13 NNW BUFFALO(4737 FT) 59 0340 PM 02/12 7 SW BARNUM (6440 FT) 59 1046 AM 02/12 12 N KAYCEE(5287 FT) 56 1246 PM 02/12 25 ESE BUFFALO(4657 FT) 55 0445 PM 02/11 BUFFALO AIRPORT (4970 FT) 55 0354 PM 02/12 8 ENE BUFFALO(4370 FT) 50 0415 PM 02/11 20 SW ECHETA(4068 FT) 48 0440 PM 02/11 2 NW MAYOWORTH(5404 FT) 41 0414 PM 02/12 KAYCEE (4681FT) 40 0618 PM 02/11 ...LINCOLN... MT COFFIN (10870 FT) 76 0545 PM 02/12 KEMMERER AIRPORT (7285 FT) 40 0615 PM 02/12 ...NATRONA... 16 S HILAND (6380 FT) 76 1110 AM 02/12 OUTER DRIVE 2 SW CASPER 69 1151 AM 02/12 2 SE HILAND (6134 FT) 57 1005 AM 02/12 CASPER AIRPORT (5320 FT) 54 0553 PM 02/12 19 N CASPER (5677 FT) 53 0535 PM 02/12 7 W ALCOVA (6342 FT) 50 0220 PM 02/12 8 S CASPER (7740 FT) 44 1152 AM 02/12 ...PARK... 5 WNW CLARK (4659 FT) 85 0904 AM 02/12 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY (8136 FT) 75 1040 PM 02/12 HOYT PEAK (9800 FT) 74 0400 PM 02/12 10 WNW CODY (8401 FT) 62 1040 AM 02/12 3 E PAHASKA (7500 FT) 55 0357 PM 02/11 8 S CLARK (4710 FT) 52 0215 AM 02/12 1 W CLARK (4270 FT) 51 0457 PM 02/12 8 N MEETEETSE (5926 FT) 50 0541 PM 02/12 CODY AIRPORT (5100 FT) 47 0455 PM 02/12 BUFFALO BILL RESERVOIR 44 1230 PM 02/12 CHIEF JOSEPH HWY MILE 9 43 0312 AM 02/13 ...SWEETWATER... ROCK SPRINGS AIRPORT (6760 FT) 56 1158 AM 02/12 15 SE ROCK SPRINGS (7550 FT) 54 0144 PM 02/12 I 80 - MILE MARKER 142 51 0530 AM 02/13 I 80 - MILE MARKER 184 50 0926 PM 02/12 I 80 - MILE MARKER 157 49 0920 AM 02/13 5 E ROCK SPRINGS (6369 FT) 45 0220 PM 02/12 7 WSW ROCK SPRINGS (6238 FT) 43 1215 PM 02/12 7 WNW GREEN RIVER (6387 FT) 42 0147 PM 02/12 80 - MILE MARKER 131 42 0135 PM 02/12 1 NNE GREEN RIVER (6315 FT) 40 0252 PM 02/12 ...TETON... SUMMIT - JACKSON RESORT 59 0730 AM 02/13 RAYMER - JACKSON RESORT 58 0300 PM 02/12 JACKSON HOLE AIRPORT (6445 FT) 44 0956 AM 02/13 ...WASHAKIE... S. BIGHORN MTS (6554 FT) 46 1140 AM 02/12
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