Black Hole Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 It's about that time again to rate the winter. How was it where you lived? Salt Lake City Ut: C+. Pros:18.5" snowstorm at my house mid December. Continuous and deep snow cover mid Dec to mid Feb. Several storms concentrated in a short period.Several very strong cold fronts with huge temperature drops, lightning/thunder, graupel, and snow.A week of very cold temperatures with a sub zero low. Cons:Snowfall was about 65% of normal.First real snow didn't occur until mid December.Multiple huge storms fell apart at the last minute on the models.General lack of large systems outside of one key stretch. 1 Quote Winter 23-24: Total Snow (3.2") Total Ice (0.2") Coldest Low: 1F Coldest High: 5F Snow Events: 0.1" Jan 5th, 0.2" Jan 9th, 1.6" Jan 14, 0.2" (ice) Jan 22, 1.3" Feb 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunder98 Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 In Orcutt this winter was very disappointing! December was cooler han normal which was nice but weak to low end moderate storms were the theme with cold and sunny days mixed in there. January had above average rainfall. February was very warm and dry! I rate this winter a D- Rainfall totals by month and measurable rain days at least 0.01". (Santa Maria Public Airport) Month | Actual | Average | % | Days December: 1.12" 2.12" 53% 9 January: 2.93" 2.75" 107% 14 February: 0.35" 2.99" 12% 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happ Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 It's been a major disappointment in SoCal and leaves us in drought conditions. The rainyear [jul-jun] started off great due to dying hurricanes [over 3 inches before the end of October] only to go mostly dry through Nov & Dec. Only one big storm [3"] in early Jan otherwise there were two storms [under 1.00] until early March [over 1.00]. & mid March [under 1.00]. It has been a horrible winter. Dec and Jan were cooler than normal but Feb went off the charts for historic heat. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 This is a long post. I made sure to triple-check all my numbers and statistics for accuracy, and tried to be as objective as possible. Bear with me if interested. For the DC area: B+ overall. Honestly, I probably would have rated it a C+, but last night's cyclone was so impressive that I can't fathom giving it a grade that low. To break this rating down a bit: Snowfall grade: ATemperature grade: FDynamics grade: B (thanks to last night's cyclone). Breakdown: Snowfall Overall: ASeasonal snowfall total: 43.3". ANumber of snow events: 7 (including last night). DHeaviest snowfall: ~35". A+Heaviest snow-rate: ~ 5.5"/hr (4/2 cyclone, 0.5"/3mins). A+ Temperature Overall: FLowest temp (not including post-blizzard): 9 degrees. FLowest temperature, snow-enhanced: -1F. CWinter departure from normal: +7.7 degrees. F.Warmest winter on record: LOL. F- Dynamics Overall: BOffseason thunderstorm events: 2, one was historic. AWind Advisory events/45+mph: 7. DHigh Wind Warning events/over 58mph: 2. BHighest Gust: Magnetic reed switch broken on anemometer during February microburst, but gusts were estimated well over 80mph. Also measured 68mph during 4/2 cyclone. A+ Highlights: 1) January blizzard, ~ 35" total, a very close lightning strike (prolonged period of thundersnow with the deformation band) plus wind gusts to 47mph here, up to ~ 90mph at the coast. 2) Severe Thunderstorm and microburst in late February. Monster line of storms under an 80kt LLJ delivered 80-100mph winds to a small portion of the region, along with baseball sized hail, intense lightning, and flooding rains. Thousands of trees snapped/uprooted, roofs ripped off houses, windows blown in, even some concrete power lines snapped off at the base by the force of the wind alone. Very early in the season for a storm of this intensity. 3) February snow/ice storm, about 4" of snow followed by a transition to freezing rain, of which we ended up with about a quarter inch of ice accretion. 4) Early April cyclone/windstorm/thunderstorm/snow squall event. Occurred last night, heaviest snow of the winter after a 70 degree day, line of thunderstorms, and subsequent windstorm. Winds hit 68mph here, measured 66mph at IAD, 74mph in wintergreen, 82mph at Snowshoe, 61mph in Martinsburg, 59mph at DCA. In a period of 8 hours, we observed: 1) A high of 68 degrees2) A thunderstorm delivering 62mph and graupel/small hail.3) A temperature drop from 61 to 43 in 25 minutes4) A period of gradient winds between 60-70mph, over 80mph in the mountains.5) A snow squall featuring the most intense snowfall rates of the winter, brief accumulations that melted soon after. Disappointments: 1) Warmest winter on record here, overall. Lowest temperature here (not counting the snow-enhanced lows after the blizzard) was 9 degrees, which was only a -14 degree departure. A very pathetic winter in terms of cold temperatures. We did drop to -1 degree on the night following the blizzard, but that's typical after a big snowfall, and was actually not impressive compared to the radiative cooling following most of our other big blizzards. 2) Blowtorch December. Warmest December on record by a huge margin. It was thundering and 78 degrees at 3AM on Christmas Eve, magnolias were blooming, leaves were coming out on some trees. Truly nightmarish. 3) Very stagnant. Despite last night's windstorm, there had been very few wind events here prior. One of the worst winters I can recall in terms of properly phased, dynamic storm systems. 4) Rapid snow melt. After the blizzard, I witnessed one of the fastest and most horrific snow melts of my life. That snowpack was owned by warmth, rain, and sunshine before it ever had a chance to settle in. So overall, while this winter had flashes of greatness, they were relatively brief, and surrounded by a sea of boredom. Hence, I cannot rate this winter higher than a B+. 2 Quote Live Weather Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/KxlIo8-KVpc?si=xKLCFYWbZieAfyh6 PWS Wunderground https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KMDBETHE62 PWS CWOP/NOAA: https://www.weather.gov/wrh/timeseries?site=F3819&hours=72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT-SEA Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Good write-up Phil. Quote **REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow_wizard Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I suppose a D- thanks to the fact it was at least chillier than 2014-15 during the mid Dec to mid Jan period. Pretty much endless gloom and dampness. Pretty awful. Quote Death To Warm Anomalies! Winter 2023-24 stats Total Snowfall = 1.0" Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1 Total Hail = 0.0 Total Ice = 0.2 Coldest Low = 13 Lows 32 or below = 45 Highs 32 or below = 3 Lows 20 or below = 3 Highs 40 or below = 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Good write-up Phil.Thank you. Ironically, statistically speaking, this winter was so warm here that next winter will probably be colder overall (even under a strong La Niña/-QBO, which is historically the worst combination for us). I'll probably regurgitate that factoid in my head as we torch into oblivion through the next 10-15 months, haha. Quote Live Weather Cam: https://www.youtube.com/live/KxlIo8-KVpc?si=xKLCFYWbZieAfyh6 PWS Wunderground https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KMDBETHE62 PWS CWOP/NOAA: https://www.weather.gov/wrh/timeseries?site=F3819&hours=72 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow_wizard Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Thank you. Ironically, statistically speaking, this winter was so warm here that next winter will probably be colder overall (even under a strong La Niña/-QBO, which is historically the worst combination for us). I'll probably regurgitate that factoid in my head as we torch into oblivion through the next 10-15 months, haha. For this area it can only get better. The past two winters certainly goes down as one of the worst pairs in history. Only 1939 - 40 / 1940 - 41 give it any real competition. 1 Quote Death To Warm Anomalies! Winter 2023-24 stats Total Snowfall = 1.0" Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1 Total Hail = 0.0 Total Ice = 0.2 Coldest Low = 13 Lows 32 or below = 45 Highs 32 or below = 3 Lows 20 or below = 3 Highs 40 or below = 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT-SEA Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I suppose a D- thanks to the fact it was at least chillier than 2014-15 during the mid Dec to mid Jan period. Pretty much endless gloom and dampness. Pretty awful. I will grudgingly give it a C Mostly because we had snow on the ground for almost 30 days and did have quite a few sunny days with that snow. Otherwise this winter was far too wet and cloudy.to be enjoyable. Quote **REPORTED CONDITIONS AND ANOMALIES ARE NOT MEANT TO IMPLY ANYTHING ON A REGIONAL LEVEL UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLI snowman Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 For this area it can only get better. The past two winters certainly goes down as one of the worst pairs in history. Only 1939 - 40 / 1940 - 41 give it any real competition.1943-44 and 1944-45 were pretty sucky as well. 1945-46 as well just for good measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLI snowman Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I'd give it a D. The late November to beginning of January stretch probably earns a B- for its consistent action and occasional cold. The rest of the winter gets an F. Overall, less than 2" of snow, mild temps, and no major events made for a pretty lame year but at least it wasn't a truly historic turd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan the Weatherman Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 For the greater L.A. area in Socal, this winter gets a big F. Strong El Ninos have delivered in a huge way in years past with Los Angeles receiving 20+" in most events. This year, L.A. has only received 9.36" to date since July 1, and 2.39" of that came in July and September! This leaves the winter with an extremely paltry 6.59", bad for ANY year, but absolutely terrible for a strong El Nino. I honestly expected a much wetter season than this, more like a 1982-83 or a 1997-98, but if it weren't the case, I would have expected 20" or so. It seems that the PNW got much more rain than normal for an El Nino event, setting records for the second wettest winter to date in Seattle, while Socal got shafted this season. Something obviously is going on in recent years, since after the 1998 season, that is modifying our weather patterns in a big way and not allowing traditional weather patterns of the past to behave like they used to or inhibiting them altogether. There is always a chance that April and May could be wetter than normal, but I don't think there is any hope of approaching 20" for the season, though, unless we are really lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow_wizard Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 1943-44 and 1944-45 were pretty sucky as well. 1945-46 as well just for good measure. There was more cold scattered through that period. There was an extraordinary snow event in April one of those seasons as well. But yeah that period sucked pretty bad. Another really bad three year run was 1998 - 99 through 2000 - 01 except for the Dec 1998 blast. It is certainly interesting how many turds there were in the 1940s just before the amazing 1946-47 through 1956-57 period. Quote Death To Warm Anomalies! Winter 2023-24 stats Total Snowfall = 1.0" Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1 Total Hail = 0.0 Total Ice = 0.2 Coldest Low = 13 Lows 32 or below = 45 Highs 32 or below = 3 Lows 20 or below = 3 Highs 40 or below = 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFallsAndrew Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I would say a C-. Probably a D- for cold, but a C+ for snowfall... I have yet to update my signature, but my seasonal snowfall ended up being 12.25". Quote Snowfall Precip 2022-23: 95.0" 2022-23: 17.39" 2021-22: 52.6" 2021-22: 91.46" 2020-21: 12.0" 2020-21: 71.59" 2019-20: 23.5" 2019-20: 58.54" 2018-19: 63.5" 2018-19: 66.33" 2017-18: 30.3" 2017-18: 59.83" 2016-17: 49.2" 2016-17: 97.58" 2015-16: 11.75" 2015-16: 68.67" 2014-15: 3.5" 2013-14: 11.75" 2013-14: 62.30 2012-13: 16.75" 2012-13: 78.45 2011-12: 98.5" 2011-12: 92.67" It's always sunny at Winters Hill! Fighting the good fight against weather evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MossMan Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 C- for me. We did have some pretty good windstorms, and sticking snow Christmas Eve morning. Quote Elevation 580’ Location a few miles east of I-5 on the Snohomish Co side of the Snohomish/Skagit border. I love snow/cold AND sun/warmth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happ Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 For the greater L.A. area in Socal, this winter gets a big F. Strong El Ninos have delivered in a huge way in years past with Los Angeles receiving 20+" in most events. This year, L.A. has only received 9.36" to date since July 1, and 2.39" of that came in July and September! This leaves the winter with an extremely paltry 6.59", bad for ANY year, but absolutely terrible for a strong El Nino. I honestly expected a much wetter season than this, more like a 1982-83 or a 1997-98, but if it weren't the case, I would have expected 20" or so. It seems that the PNW got much more rain than normal for an El Nino event, setting records for the second wettest winter to date in Seattle, while Socal got shafted this season. Something obviously is going on in recent years, since after the 1998 season, that is modifying our weather patterns in a big way and not allowing traditional weather patterns of the past to behave like they used to or inhibiting them altogether. There is always a chance that April and May could be wetter than normal, but I don't think there is any hope of approaching 20" for the season, though, unless we are really lucky. There actually are stations in parts of SoCal that are still above normal or much above normal for rainfall due to summer/ autumn systems. Parts of Death Valley are still closed due to flood damage. If the monsoon/ tropical systems were more reliable than I would feel less anxious by dry winters. La Nina conditions suppress summer rainfall but winters can be very wet so maybe next year will end the drought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Ranger Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 For this area it can only get better. The past two winters certainly goes down as one of the worst pairs in history. Only 1939 - 40 / 1940 - 41 give it any real competition. 1986-87 and 1987-88 were right up there as well. Quote A forum for the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Ranger Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 B- for here. Snowfall: A little above normal, with a couple big storms, one really big. Good snow cover most of December through early January, spotty after that. Temps: Above normal, but not a total blowtorch. No real impressive cold spells, unlike most recent years. The March blizzard bumped it up from a C-. Quote A forum for the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLI snowman Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I would say a C-. Probably a D- for cold, but a C+ for snowfall... I have yet to update my signature, but my seasonal snowfall ended up being 12.25". I think your standards are pretty low right now if 12" there nets a slightly above average snowfall score from you. Your location likely averages 40"+. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow_wizard Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 1986-87 and 1987-88 were right up there as well. 1987-88 actually was decently cold at times. Quote Death To Warm Anomalies! Winter 2023-24 stats Total Snowfall = 1.0" Day with 1" or more snow depth = 1 Total Hail = 0.0 Total Ice = 0.2 Coldest Low = 13 Lows 32 or below = 45 Highs 32 or below = 3 Lows 20 or below = 3 Highs 40 or below = 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bainbridgekid Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 I think your standards are pretty low right now if 12" there nets a slightly above average snowfall score from you. Your location likely averages 40"+. C+ is above average to you? Your teachers must have just loved you. Quote Everett Snowfall (510 feet elevation) Snow since February 2019: 91" 2023-24: 6" 2022-23: 17.5" 2021-22: 17.75" 2020-21: 14.5” 2019-20: 10.5" 2018-19: 24.75" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverFallsAndrew Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 I think your standards are pretty low right now if 12" there nets a slightly above average snowfall score from you. Your location likely averages 40"+. If I was rating this winter after 2011-12, my first winter living here, I would have given it an F. The past two winters were pretty snow starved. I did have sticking snow in every month November-March so that counts for a little. But overall anything compared to last year seems pretty frigid. I think what has really stuck out the past two years have been how much warmer the March-May period has been. Quote Snowfall Precip 2022-23: 95.0" 2022-23: 17.39" 2021-22: 52.6" 2021-22: 91.46" 2020-21: 12.0" 2020-21: 71.59" 2019-20: 23.5" 2019-20: 58.54" 2018-19: 63.5" 2018-19: 66.33" 2017-18: 30.3" 2017-18: 59.83" 2016-17: 49.2" 2016-17: 97.58" 2015-16: 11.75" 2015-16: 68.67" 2014-15: 3.5" 2013-14: 11.75" 2013-14: 62.30 2012-13: 16.75" 2012-13: 78.45 2011-12: 98.5" 2011-12: 92.67" It's always sunny at Winters Hill! Fighting the good fight against weather evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbotsford_wx Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 I give it a "D-" overall, and that seems generous. It was more like an extended fall than a winter. There was very little of note aside from some heavy rain and wind events. There was virtually no snow or cold to speak of, and it rained on 80% of days in Dec-Feb.SnowfallOverall: FSeasonal snowfall total: 0.8" (F)Number of snow events: 3 (D-)Heaviest snowfall: 0.4" (F)TemperatureOverall: D-Number of sub-freezing lows: 31 (D)Number of sub-freezing highs: 0 (F)Lowest temperature: 20.5F (D-)Winter departure from normal: +2.8F (D)DynamicsOverall: C- (bordering on C)Arctic outbreaks: 0 (F)Continental air masses: 1 (D-)High wind events: 10 (A)Heavy rain events (1" or greater in a 24 hour period): 6 (B )Note: Average in all categories would be a "C". 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Ranger Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 1987-88 actually was decently cold at times. So was 2015-16 early on. Neither produced much in the way of lowland snowfall. Quote A forum for the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLI snowman Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 C+ is above average to you? Your teachers must have just loved you. The C+ that I got in 8th grade P.E. was the pinnacle of my educational experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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