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Notes 2002/2003 season
First Snow: 9-30-2002
5/9/2003: The snow at the back of my cabin is now just patches and the
measuring stick has fallen. The most snow during the season that
*I* measured was 5.5 feet, far below normal and the lowest since I've been
tracking (1998). This will be the last entry for the season, see
ya next year.
4/25/2003: Yesterday we received an unexpected 3"-5" of new snow.
I went up today at noon to get in another hike and the new snow was nice
for the ride down. Coverage is still about the same as last week except
the snow is creeping up the hill and you can only go down about halfway
between the water tower and the Keechelus lift. I would suspect the
snow will have receeded up to the forest service road by next week if progress
continues as is.... My snow depth stick is also beginning to lean
due to lack of snow holding it up.
4/17/2003: Today I took a lunchtime hike up to the top. The hike started
out with partly cloudy skies and fairly nice. The snow cover is still
pretty good with spots of dirt in the high sun exposed sections of some
of the steeper runs. When I arrived near Milwaukee Ridge it started
to snow lightly and by the time I got to the Dinosaur Chair it was snowing
hard (ugggg) and I had no gloves or goggles. ....I thought it would be
sunny...... Anyway, the snow was nice going down and not slow at
all. Coverage is still pretty good all the way down to the Keechelus
lift.
4/7/2003: A little more snow through the week and now a little rain.
The areas are all closed except for Alpental and the season is coming to
an end, but the snow cover is still good enough for hiking, sleding, etc.....
Make sure you WAX and look out for the renegade snowmobiles that might
happen to be out on the slopes.
3/26/03: More new snow! I was able to get away today at lunch
and hiked up. Lots of fresh snow, deep and heavy. I was post-hole'n
up to my knees much of the way when I was off the broken trail. The
ride down was slow and staying to the steeps was a must. Coverage
is good all over, as good as its been all year and this years Ski Down
will be no problem, but rain is forcast.
3/25/03: Wet snow, but we've been getting a couple inches per day since
the weekend. The snow is not stacking up, but at least its holding
up for some spring turns. Hyak has turned into the hiking hill with a lot
of foot traffic since the lifts were shut down. The lifts will be
back in service this saturday for the Ski Down and it looks like the snow
should be in OK shape.
3/18/03: The rain is gone and light snow has fallen off and on the past
few days. The creeks have done their damage again in the usual areas, but
so far the snow is still holding up...and just needs to last a couple more
weeks to make it through the Ski Down. The Summit has closed Hyak
for downhill, last weekend being it for lift service.
3/11/03: RAIN RAIN RAIN. It is raining, and raining hard.
The wonderful dry powder is now wet, heavy glop and is packing down.
The forcast is for rain all week and high snow levels so no relief in site
until maybe Sunday. The creeks may take over again?
3/8/03: The snow is still falling hard with another 8"+ added since
yesterday AM. We should be topping the 6' mark tomorrow and things
are looking good for skiing on into April.
3/7/03: WINTER HAS ARRIVED! The past few days its been snowing
and last night dropped 20"+. Finally, the snow depth stick is not
stuck on the 3' mark, but we've moved up beyond 5' and they predict another
10"-12" tonight. If snow levels stay at or below 3,000' through Sunday
we might pickup another couple feet beyond this..... The snow that
fell last night is also VERY FLUFFY......
2/27/03: Its SNOWING! Tempratures were COLD this past week falling
into the 10-17 degree range and something we really needed to freeze up
the snow and slowdown the snow melt. Still the snow is hanging around
the 3' depth but more snow is forcast for the weekend.
2/23/03: New snow followed by colder tempratures. Saturday it
snowed off and on all day with temps running in the low 30's. About
4"-6" had fallen friday night/sat morning and today it was clearing and
colder. Temps are predicted to drop into the teens the next couple
days. Maybe winter will finally arrive?
2/17/03: About 4"-5" of new, wet snow but at least its snow and not
rain. It was a good day overall compared to what I've been used to.
Blowdown and the Dino area were fun!
2/14/03: Not much has changed. Its been clear and cool at night, sunny
in the day for the past week but this weekend the weather is suppose to
change and bring more rain and snow? The groomers have had their
hands full keeping these runs in shape, finding snow whereever possible
to keep the dirt and rocks covered. Still a gloomy outlook for the
season with no winter storms in the forcast.
2/9/2003: Sun and cold morning tempratures to start kept the snow in
fairly good shape.. There hasn't been any new snow in awhile, but
what we have isn't bad. The cold nights are drying out the snow a bit making
for decent conditions but we really do need more snow. Still have
just under 3' and on the slopes there are many bare spots from the creek
melt of the past few weeks. Nothing but sunshine is predicted through
next weekend so no new snow, but I guess its better then more rain.
2/2/2003: Low snow levels were predicted for the weekend and 3"-5" per
day. Well, what we got was about 3,500' snow levels and a mix of rain/snow
at all Snoqualmie areas through the weekend. Continued snow melt
is leaving the resorts in horrible shape and I am very suprised to see
that Hyak is still in lift operation. The creeks are having their way and
the area looks like a typical late April/Early May condition instead of
the first week of February. I've been told that this is the #2 or
#3 worst condtions ever at Snoqualmie at this time. I'm still hoping
for a late season recovery, but it better happen soon.
1/30/2003: Same old story, new snow followed by rain. Received
4" yesterday followed by rain and after packing/melt its about 2" total
today. A warm front is expected to come through for the next couple
days so I hope it doesn't melt too much. We don't have much to spare.
1/26/2003: I don't remember when it has rained so hard for so
long. It started raining Saturday around noon and continued on through
the night into Sunday and it was raining HARD. The snow is melting
down and creeks are beginning to show at the lower slopes of Hyak.
If we don't get more snow before next weekend I would not be suprised if
the close the area for alpine. Rocks and dirt are beginning to show
and if temps stay this warm along with more rain there is no way the snow
will hold up. Its been a tough year so far.
1/23/2003: WET AND HEAVY! After 7" tuesday and 4" more wednesday we
get 12+ hrs of rain to make our new snow good and heavy. The snow
is about as wet and heavy as NW snow gets and the new snow of almost a
foot has compated down to 6"-8". I'll start counting the snow total
in feet even though I usually don't start that until we get 5'...its getting
late enough in the year, what the heck.
1/19/2003: Its getting to be the same ol' story again and again. Another
week of no new snow, clear cold tempratures and sunshine. The temprature
has stayed cold enough this past week to keep the snow in pretty good shape
and today I was even able to go off the groomed runs with little trouble.
The snowfall of last sunday sure made a difference, but we still have many
branches coming through the snow.
1/13/2003: After nearly a foot of snow fell this past Saturday night/Sunday
light rain followed to pack the snow down and make what did fall into heavy
mush. The snow was much needed but we still need lots more. More
is forcast for Monday night/Tuesday with clearing after that.
1/10/2003: Another clear and cold day. The snow was well groomed
and in good shape...but nothing has changed since last saturday.
Weather reports say possible snow this weekend and into next week.
1/5/2003: Today was clear and sunny and the snow was rock hard after
last nights freeze. I'm told it was raining most of the day yesterday so
with the snow settling and melt from the warm weather we have about 2'
left. We need more snow soon or we will be in big trouble.
1/2/2003: 12" new snow followed up by a warm front and rain. The
rain had just started about an hour before I arrived and no telling how
long it will last. The forcast is for snow levels of 3,000'-6,000'
for the next few days so there is a chance we could be in for a few days
of rain, or it may just change back to snow and dump another foot, who
knows? Hopefully Hyak will be open by next friday for downhill.
12/31/2002: About 6" new since Sunday and things are looking more like
winter. The weather predictions are calling for rising snow levels
thurs. so I'll keep my fingers crossed that if it happens its not going
to go too long, or won't result in rain and too much snow melt. If
we can keep the snow falling though, I'd say Hyak should be open in a week
or so. Alpental should be opening soon as well.
12/29/2002: Summit West opened Friday and Central followed Saturday.
Hyak Nordic opened today but not enough snow for downhill ski/board just
yet. Storms kicked in after Christmas dumping 15"+ and low snow levels.
More snow is predicted over the next week so if conditions are good we
may see Hyak open for downhill next weekend??
12/23/2002: Looks like my prediction of a christmas opening is not going
to happen. Since last week about 1" has fallen, but depths are far
below what is needed to get the resorts open. Forcasts call for snow
over the holiday so who knows?
12/16/2002: Since my last report a little more snow had fallen then
the warm fronts moved in. RAIN RAIN RAIN all weekend taking what
little snow we had and bringing it down to around 2"-3". When I left
Monday the snow levels were dropping and the rain was changing over to
snow in the AM. Predictions through the week are for low snow levels
of 2k-2500' and 4"-6"/day.
12/10/2002: The storms have arrived! About 4" on the ground and
the snow is still falling... Keep your fingers crossed......10" expected
tonight with more predicted through the week.
12/4/2002: Well, what a suprise. Seems the slopes have been hit
with 2"-4" new snow (unexpected). No more new snow is predicted until next
week when we should be heading into our normal weather patterns and snow
should then start to fall. Maybe a christmas opening?? That
is my prediction anyway.....
12/2/2002: We have been hit with a high-pressure system for a couple
weeks now, and its expected to stay at least another week blocking any
storm that may come our way. Its going to be a late season start,
that's for sure. No snow on the slopes and lots of sunshine.....
El Nino?
11/18/2002: Mix rain and snow at the lower levels but snow falling up top. I hiked up with the dog and there was about 1" at the Ski Patrol shack. 11/9/2002: Snow was falling at the pass but not sticking below 4,000'. 11/4/2002: Rain has returned and snow levels are around 6,000'.
Still normal weather patterns and this fall has been like the others with
a dusting
10/31/2002: Tempratures have fallen well below normal and some
areas are hitting single digits. No snow in the near forcast, but
I'm sure its not
10/11/2002: The early snow is all gone and tempratures are back near 50. 9/30/2002: Today was the first snowfall on the slopes just above the 3000' level. It didn't stay long but its a sign of things to come. |
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