Mountain West Discussion

[epiceast]

I noticed before it got dark that the snow growth actually looked really good here. Biggest flakes since it all began and temps are still around -5F. Wouldn't surprise me if tonight into tomorrow morning surpasses last nights snowfall.

Yeah definitely more moisture today. I think bigger flakes = wetter snow, and lower ratios though. Haven't really noticed much of a difference here between yesterday's this morning's and afternoon's snow, it's all light(better than 12:1) enough to get blown around and mixes together on places where i shoveled. But I see lost trail pass is up to 26, so the warm nose is definitely trying to push past id/ca border even in near surface levels...

[Jesse]

Find that very hard to believe. We had a couple breaks since the initial arctic front where it got above freezing in the sun. Hasn't rained since the day it all began though(actually rained quite high & hard that day, up to 7000' @ snowbowl, nearly entire mountain got a thick crust, so we got miserable skiing for two weeks because of how dry everything was for a while).

Or maybe everything was dry for awhile because of how miserable you got skiing. Food for thought.

[Kayla]

Yeah definitely more moisture today. I think bigger flakes = wetter snow, and lower ratios though. Haven't really noticed much of a difference here between yesterday's this morning's and afternoon's snow, it's all light(better than 12:1) enough to get blown around and mixes together on places where i shoveled. But I see lost trail pass is up to 26, so the warm nose is definitely trying to push past id/ca border even in near surface levels...

 

Bigger flakes just means better dendrite growth with these below zero temps and higher accumulations. I picked up 6" of snow last night with 0.10" of precip (I have a heated rain gauge) with temps around -7F during the heavy snow band that moved through. Best snow/water ratio I've seen this season.

[epiceast]

Bigger flakes just means better dendrite growth with these below zero temps and higher accumulations. I picked up 6" of snow last night with 0.10" of precip (I have a heated rain gauge) with temps around -7F during the heavy snow band that moved through. Best snow/water ratio I've seen this season.

Could be, last night 700mb temps were much colder before the trough came on shore. I'm seeing a lot of 1:30 to 1:50(Butte/Anaconda area) reports around here in western montana too, but I don't buy them because of the wind however, i think it's just under measuring the qpf in a lot of cases by maybe even a factor of 2. takes some extreme atmosphere conditions to exceed 1:30

[epiceast]

https://www.weather.gov/source/crh/snowmap.html?zoom=8&lat=46.3&lon=-113.5&hr=24

Probably at a foot here now after the strong band came through a couple hours ago(4 to 5 new since dusk). Was impossible to measure earlier on our valley. I don't know how they managed to measure 6" at 5pm, 2 to 3 at most fair spots(bare sidewalks that didn't get windload drifts) here but it was snowing at half a mile visibility with 30mph winds for most of the day so it sounds about right. Impressive totals for the Bitterroot where it snowed all last night.

 

 

Definitely a "storm king" type of track for the 'root valley  @ 850 mb levels.

[Kayla]

Currently -9F and just dumping snow with huge dendrite growth here this morning. Looks like the snow and frigid temps should continue once again throughout the day and even into tonight. Wouldn't be surprised if we pick up another 5-8" today.

 

Pretty much all of the schools are closed all over Western Montana today...but not here in Bozeman! 

[Kayla]

As of the 6am reading at the Bozeman Airport they have 16" of snow on the ground which looks like is the highest snow depth for any month since Jan. 1979. With the snow still coming down this number will only go up of course.

[epiceast]

10" storm total 8" new. Missoula airport exceeded 15" and was tied or ahead of Bozeman airport as far as snow totals go for a few hours early this morning. I wonder if any benches on north side of a hill in the Bitterroot exceeded your snowfall with 2' dump across many places.

[epiceast]

Currently -9F and just dumping snow with huge dendrite growth here this morning. Looks like the snow and frigid temps should continue once again throughout the day and even into tonight. Wouldn't be surprised if we pick up another 5-8" today.

 

Pretty much all of the schools are closed all over Western Montana today...but not here in Bozeman! 

UM is open, and is actually probably the only institution open in town today! Mall closed at 6pm last night, airport is closed, all the forest service offices are closed as well. Main roads are in good conditions here for sure, but people not owning a SUV/Truck for clearance could be immobile for a few hours today if they live near the Hellgate canyon outflow.

[Black Hole]

10" storm total 8" new. Missoula airport exceeded 15" and was tied or ahead of Bozeman airport as far as snow totals go for a few hours early this morning. I wonder if any benches on north side of a hill in the Bitterroot exceeded your snowfall with 2' dump across many places.

More photos? Always appreciate the updates.

 

Upper 50s with bare ground in SLC. Not looking at much snow in the next week either. 

[epiceast]

More photos? Always appreciate the updates.

 

Upper 50s with bare ground in SLC. Not looking at much snow in the next week either. 

http://theweatherforums.com/index.php/topic/1976-february-2019-weather-observations-and-discussion-part-2/?p=449550

[Front Ranger]

Was a somewhat rough day for my snowpack, with temps topping out at 50. I don't usually care that much about keeping snow around long, but this streak is now up to 46 days, which is easily my second-longest on record.

 

A few more seasonable to cool days ahead, and then the Arctic air returns over the weekend with a chance of some snow.

[Kayla]

Up to 10" on the day now and still really coming down out there. 36" on the ground now. Commute home was a mess with cars off everywhere which is pretty rare here. Plows are just not keeping up anymore.

 

Under a WWA for an additional 3-6" tonight into tomorrow. Back down to -7F after a "high" of -4F.

 

http://i68.tinypic.com/mtuz4w.jpg

[Front Ranger]

Up to 10" on the day now and still really coming down out there. 36" on the ground now. Commute home was a mess with cars off everywhere which is pretty rare here. Plows are just not keeping up anymore.

 

Under a WWA for an additional 3-6" tonight into tomorrow. Back down to -7F after a "high" of -4F.

 

http://i68.tinypic.com/mtuz4w.jpg

 

Sounds like they may need to consider the inconceivable and cancel school tomorrow.

[epiceast]

https://nwschat.weather.gov/p.php?pid=201902261936-KMSO-NOUS45-PNSMSO

 

Updated totals by Missoula NWS

[Kayla]

Sounds like they may need to consider the inconceivable and cancel school tomorrow.

 

I sure hope so but at this point it almost seems like a "streak" that they are proud of.

 

Billings and Livingston schools are cancelled tomorrow so Bozeman really should make the call as well with conditions much worse than those cities this evening.

[Kayla]

Bozeman MSU set a new daily record low max with -2F for a high yesterday. Snow depth is also up to 25" as of the 3pm reading yesterday which is the fourth highest snow depth since record keeping began in 1891. It is also the fourth coldest February on record with a solid chance of making it into the top 3.

 

Looks like the Bozeman Airport is a lock for the 2nd coldest February on record behind 1989 as well.

[TT-SEA]

I had to check...

 

BOZEMAN SCHOOLS OPEN TODAY - WEDNESDAY, FEB 27

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 Dear BSD7 Parents and Community. Our schools are open today and buses are running as normal. This decision was made after careful consultation with local officials and our transportation department. We recognize that there is more snow expected today, which could mean cancelation of other activities. Please continue to check back here for any news. More information is available on our website under the "Inclement Weather" page.

[Kayla]

13" here over the past 24 hours. Have also been below zero for 62 consecutive hours. Should moderate some finally today with temps reaching the teens (balmy!) this afternoon. Snow stopped briefly early this morning but it has picked back up again.

 

Going on about 90 hours of nearly continuous snowfall. Snow looks to continue through Saturday now with ANOTHER Arctic front.

[Kayla]

 

I had to check...

 

BOZEMAN SCHOOLS OPEN TODAY - WEDNESDAY, FEB 27

Wednesday, Feb 27, 2019 Dear BSD7 Parents and Community. Our schools are open today and buses are running as normal. This decision was made after careful consultation with local officials and our transportation department. We recognize that there is more snow expected today, which could mean cancelation of other activities. Please continue to check back here for any news. More information is available on our website under the "Inclement Weather" page.

 

 

Yeah... It's insane. Apparently the only thing that will cancel schools here is the apocalypse! 

[Kayla]

Flocked and we've entered the tunneling phase. Can't see out our kitchen window anymore!

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/29nusyo.jpg

 

http://i67.tinypic.com/205pfn.jpg

http://i68.tinypic.com/sqj9l4.jpg

[Black Hole]

Continued mild here, but 40s instead of 50s today. Hard to believe its so cold up in Montana!

Looks like we may get a snowstorm here on Saturday. Baroclinic band sets up and a low forms to my south with moisture riding in from the cut off low that will be off of CA. If it all works out could be fun. 

[Black Hole]

I'm bookmarking this post for the people who say it can be too cold to snow.

 

I've been in subzero temps before and 20 minutes was enough for me.  It makes warm front drizzle feel not so bad.

 

Her case is a good example especially with context. Lots of moist and warmish air overrunning the low level cold. The snow forms in a more favorable airmass before falling into the cold. 

[Front Ranger]

NWS currently going with highs in the 9-12 range here for Sunday. Could be very close to the coldest highs on record this late in the season for some places.

 

- For DEN, the latest single digit high on record is 7 from 3/10/1948. 2/19/2006 was the last time they saw a single digit high after 2/10.

- For BOU, 2/27/1962 is the latest single digit high on record. To set the record for coldest high this late, they will need to stay under 11. This is with a period of record back to 1893.

[Kayla]

Her case is a good example especially with context. Lots of moist and warmish air overrunning the low level cold. The snow forms in a more favorable airmass before falling into the cold. 

 

Great explanation. It's truly been a "perfect storm" type of scenario for Montana.

[Kayla]

13" here over the past 24 hours. Have also been below zero for 62 consecutive hours. Should moderate some finally today with temps reaching the teens (balmy!) this afternoon. Snow stopped briefly early this morning but it has picked back up again.

 

Going on about 90 hours of nearly continuous snowfall. Snow looks to continue through Saturday now with ANOTHER Arctic front.

 

Only made it up to 8F yesterday....so much for that! Models have really been under forecasting highs lately and the NWS even touched on that in their discussion this morning. Arctic air and a massive snowpack all over Montana is a tough thing to overcome!

 

It was supposed to reach about 30F here today but it doesn't look like we'll get above the teens. Expecting 3-5" later today into tonight before the Arctic front moves through tomorrow night. Currently 14F.

[Front Ranger]

Under a WSW for Saturday afternoon/night here. Potential for a hell of a storm, as a strong Arctic front moving south will collide with a potent storm moving under it from the Southwest. 

[Kayla]

Getting slammed here this evening. Picked up 4" in about 90 minutes. Had a short lull and now another 3" has fallen in the past hour. Still complete whiteout and just dumping out there.

 

Current view from MSU.

 

http://i64.tinypic.com/2yy3402.png

[Kayla]

Finally a beautiful clear morning here! Nice little break before the Arctic front moves in later today. Currently 5F (above!!)

 

http://i65.tinypic.com/11hthme.jpg

[Kayla]

Looks like the Bozeman Airport is reporting 24" of snow on the ground now which is the second highest snow depth on record and is the highest March snow depth on record. A whopping 9" more than the previous record of 15" set in 1969.

 

Bozeman MSU is reporting 28" snow base as of 3pm yesterday before the latest system moved in dropping another 6". Record is 29" so it will be interesting to see the 3pm reading today but it looks likely to be new highest snow depth record for any month. Record for March was 21" in 1969 as well so definitely set a new one there. 

[Mercurial]

My uncle sent me this photo, from his property just south of Gallatin Gateway.  Next to Ted Turner's Flying D ranch, actually.  He was reporting 36" on the ground when it was taken a day or so ago.  Apparently a heard of 200 elk has been hanging out around the property lately.

 

[Mercurial]

When was the last time Montana had a milder than typical winter, or a below normal snowpack?  I mean, it's been at least 3-4 years.  The past three winters have all been total shellackings.  

[Black Hole]

I mostly just check this thread to see what is going on in Montana lol 

Expecting some rain/snow showers tonight. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

I mostly just check this thread to see what is going on in Montana lol 

 

Expecting some rain/snow showers tonight. 

 

How was February in Utah?

 

[Black Hole]

How was February in Utah?

 

First 2/3 of the month were solid. A lot of weak-moderate storms added up to just over 20" for me. the airport I think was slightly above normal for snowfall. Temperatures were definitely below normal, but not like the PNW.

 

Looks like with the blowtorch the last few days February ended up near normal for temperature. 

 

My biggest gripe about this winter is the lack of any huge storms for me. Biggest calendar day total this year was 5.6". On the flip side, its been persistently active so not much inversion either. 

[Front Ranger]

February finished with a -4.5 departure for DEN. Average temp of 27.36, which is the coldest February here since 1989 (coldest on record with average temp of 22.34). 6th coldest on record.

[Front Ranger]

Expecting 4-8" tomorrow afternoon through Sunday morning. But definitely another storm with overperforming potential, depending on where banding sets up.

[Kayla]

When was the last time Montana had a milder than typical winter, or a below normal snowpack?  I mean, it's been at least 3-4 years.  The past three winters have all been total shellackings.  

 

The early 2000's were pretty rough here which was the last bad stretch. 2014-15 was probably the last "bad" winter here.

 

The last 3 winters here have been pretty incredible which also happens to be my first 3 winters here as well. Definite 60's and 70's feel to them.

[Kayla]

I ended February with 18 below zero days after only 3 in the previous winter months this season. Average temp was 10.1F. My coldest month since we moved here by a long shot. Crazy month.

[Black Hole]

1.3" this morning and still falling but I think its not going to add up anymore. All the snow was gone so its nice to see.