Happy New Year to all of my friends on the forecast list and all the vistors to the website!
Good news here: NOAA has issued this update to the ENSO (that's La Nina/El Nino) website: Several models, including the NOAA Climate Forecast System (CFS), suggest the development of La Niña during December 2008- March 2009 However, the magnitude of cooling remains uncertain and it is possible the La Niña threshold will not be met. Therefore, based on current observations and recent trends, ENSO-neutral or La Niña conditions are equally likely through early 2009.
Either way, that's good news for skiers.
We currently have falling snow and an inch of new in Hood River.
Right now there's a foot of new and more snow falling at Meadows. Go now. Right now. Today looks like another day of scouring wind in the mountains in the afternoon Winds will be lightest in the morning on the hill, building and building and building as the day goes on. If you're into winter windsurfing, you may head out into the eastern desert for strongest winds, or into the river anywhere for sailable conditions of some sort.
(now for a commercial break)
My boss emailed me last night and said, "Let's talk about the snow phone in the morning." Uh-oh... Turns out he just wanted to make sure that I mentioned that conditions were going to go to hell later in the day. No, I swear. They wanted me to tell everyone that it's going to start raining with nuclear winds later in the day. I was astounded. So... once again, I promise you, the Mt. Hood Meadows snow phone will tell you the truth.
Unfortunately, these winds will be accompanied by rising snow levels. We start the morning near 4500 feet, but the afternoon sees 6500 feet. Please, please, please stay out of the backcountry today. NWAC is predicting EXTREME avalanche danger. There's a very weak layer close to the ground from the dry, cold snow we had first thing in the season. If you're an unlucky person and go into the backcountry today, you WILL trigger a huge avalanche. Please ski avy-controlled areas today.
Strong winds continue tonight into Friday midday, when they'll back off. Snow levels should moderate tonight, dropping snow at Meadows through Friday. Weak high pressure builds in Friday into Saturday, giving us light winds and the possibility of a bluebird day on the hill Saturday. If you're going Saturday, I recommend going early and leaving early or going late. It was scary busy yesterday, and I can't see how less people will be on the hill on the weekend. I'll be there for 90 minutes or so. =)
Well... unfortunately I have to go clean a house now and am going to miss the epic powder. Go ski for me!
Happy new year!
Print | posted @ Thursday, January 01, 2009 6:34 AM