March in the Pacific Northwest

[epiceast]

Really?

 

Roads here are about to go under water.

 

Over 6 inches of rain here this month and 2 inches today alone... and SEA is almost to their monthly average in just 5 days. Not sure how much more it can rain.

 

Torrential rain moving in from the south again now. It will be dumping rain even at Snoqualmie Pass in 15 minutes and will go most of the night. With such heavy rain on top of all that snow... there is going to be avalanches.

Yea when nobody is out... If I was Jessy I would say something about you not caring about other people. But seriously our snowpack resembles a Colorado one more than PNW one right now, thanks to a really cold weekend & and multiple east wind freezing rain events during warmups instead of rain.

[TT-SEA]

Yea when nobody is out... If I was Jessy I would say something about you not caring about other people. But seriously our snowpack resembles a Colorado one more than PNW one right now, thanks to a really cold weekend & and multiple east wind freezing rain events during warmups instead of rain.

I am sure the snowpack is fine overall.

 

Although this is more a PNW mountain scene now than a Colorado scene.  

 

http://s3.postimg.org/xqki0x7oj/090_VC05200.jpg

[Jesse]

Next week looks pretty nice on the 18z. Chilly showers transitioning into a pattern of warm days and frosty nights. Yes please.

[TT-SEA]

Next week looks pretty nice on the 18z. Chilly showers transitioning into a pattern of warm days and frosty nights. Yes please.

 

 

I second that motion!    

[epiceast]

I am sure the snowpack is fine overall.

 

Although this is more a PNW mountain scene now than a Colorado scene.  

 

http://s3.postimg.org/xqki0x7oj/090_VC05200.jpg

 

I'm more partial to this one.http://www.nps.gov/webcams-mora/east.jpg

[HighlandExperience]

I am sure the snowpack is fine overall.

 

Although this is more a PNW mountain scene now than a Colorado scene.  

 

http://s3.postimg.org/xqki0x7oj/090_VC05200.jpg

 

I'll take a PNW ski day any time over Colorado.

 

Way more snow, longer season despite the cascade concrete.

[TT-SEA]

I'll take a PNW ski day any time over Colorado.

 

Way more snow, longer season despite the cascade concrete.

Vast majority of the ski world disagrees... sounds like a homer statement.

[Poulsbo Snowman]

Vast majority of the ski world disagrees... sounds like a homer statement.

I'm actually a Sun Valley or Bogus Basin kind of guy.  Usually, there's great snow in both of those places.

[Jesse]

Vast majority of the ski world disagrees... sounds like a homer statement.

 

Stop being a PNW-bashing freak. Many Cascade ski areas (especially Mt. Hood) are internationally famous. Nowhere else in the lower-48 that you can ski all summer.

[TT-SEA]

Stop being a PNW-bashing freak. Many Cascade ski areas (especially Mt. Hood) are internationally famous. Nowhere else in the lower-48 that you can ski all summer.

I did not make the comparison to Colorado.

[TT-SEA]

Friday is looking really nice.

[HighlandExperience]

Vast majority of the ski world disagrees... sounds like a homer statement.

 

Actually lots of skiiers come to the PNW for its backcountry skiing. The only reason why the PNW doesn't have more ski tourism is the simple fact that our ski resorts are not as developed like some places in Colorado/Utah and California.

 

Lots of people were against Whistler being built (because it was considered remote at the time). Plus some people poopoo the wet snow. Look at how great it is now. Easily one of the top resorts in North America.

 

If the money, effort, and time were put into a place like Mt. Baker/Crystal Mountain or some other location in the Cascades, people would flock there.

 

Just saying. Personally though I am glad we don't have bigger resorts. Really steals away from the true nature of the mtns.

[TT-SEA]

Actually lots of skiiers come to the PNW for its backcountry skiing. The only reason why the PNW doesn't have more ski tourism is the simple fact that our ski resorts are not as developed like some places in Colorado/Utah and California.

 

Lots of people were against Whistler being built (because it was considered remote at the time). Plus some people poopoo the wet snow. Look at how great it is now. Easily one of the top resorts in North America.

 

If the money, effort, and time were put into a place like Mt. Baker/Crystal Mountain or some other location in the Cascades, people would flock there.

 

Just saying. Personally though I am glad we don't have bigger resorts. Really steals away from the true nature of the mtns.

I disagree... skiers prefer dry snow and sunshine over fog and concrete. The money goes where the best conditions exist... its not a mystery. Whistler is farther north so they do better. Tahoe has elevation and sunshine.

[HighlandExperience]

I disagree... skiers prefer dry snow and sunshine over fog and concrete. The money goes where the best conditions exist... its not a mystery. Whistler is farther north so they do better. Tahoe has elevation and sunshine.

 

The same arguments you are using right now are the same ones that others have used prior to the development of Whister as a major contender.

 

Plus there is not much difference in snow quality between Baker and Whister. And one could argue that Crsystal has better snow than both.

 

EDIT:  Of course skiiers prefer sunny days. But you can't beat the consistent snow coverage in the Cascades and BC Costal Ranges.

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

I disagree... skiers prefer dry snow and sunshine over fog and concrete. The money goes where the best conditions exist... its not a mystery. Whistler is farther north so they do better. Tahoe has elevation and sunshine.

It's all about the condition and timing of the snow. When all is right the the Pnw has some of the best snow in the world. I have snowmobiled all over north America and this area is hard to beat. Mt baker has the best I have ever seen. But yeah it sucks in the fog or rain and snow for sure.

[Brian_in_Leavenworth]

The same arguments you are using right now are the same ones that others have used prior to the development of Whister as a major contender.

 

Plus there is not much difference in snow quality between Baker and Whister. And one could argue that Crsystal has better snow than both.

 

EDIT:  Of course skiiers prefer sunny days. But you can't beat the consistent snow coverage in the Cascades and BC Costal Ranges.

Skiers also like deep powder, which means more frequent snows mean better chances of powder days.

 

Also, areas that are drier often have to make snow, and I believe most skiers don't like the fake snow as much.  Mission Ridge, near Wenatchee, makes their own snow, since we are on the drier side

[BLI snowman]

I have not done any research... but I am thinking this is has to be one of the wettest first weeks of March ever at SEA.

 

3.10 inches in the last 5 days... normal for all of March is 3.72

 

Should easily be over 4 inches tomorrow morning... maybe close to 5 inches by Friday morning.

 

SEA had 2.7 inches of rain today alone back in 1972.

[snow_wizard]

SEA had 2.7 inches of rain today alone back in 1972.

 

 

A 1972 repeat would work just fine for me.  A lot of exciting weather that year.

[richard mann]

I disagree... skiers prefer dry snow and sunshine over fog and concrete. The money goes where the best conditions exist... its not a mystery. Whistler is farther north so they do better. Tahoe has elevation and sunshine.

Hence the phrase "Sierra Cement".

[GHweatherChris]

Picked up over an inch of rain since 4 pm here with this first main band of precip, and then it just stopped.

 

Tomorrow is going to have alot of heavy heavy showers just looking at the IR.

[TT-SEA]

SEA had 2.7 inches of rain today alone back in 1972.

 

 

Well... then that year was probably also one of the wettest first weeks of March as well.

[GHweatherChris]

Well, nice evening out there now.  Stopped raining and clouds are broken up.

[seattleweatherguy]

Friday is looking really nice.

Sunny and near 60?

[TT-SEA]

Sunny and near 60?

 

Partly sunny... maybe low 60s.   

[TT-SEA]

SEA is over 1.50 inches of rain for the day and still going.   

 

3/5/72 notwithstanding... an impressive total.

[Poulsbo Snowman]

1916 was the rainiest month in March.  9.11 inches.  We've got a ways to go. 

[GHweatherChris]

These fast moving fronts are fantastic.

[TT-SEA]

1916 was the rainiest month in March.  9.11 inches.  We've got a ways to go. 

 

Did not say the wettest March ever... I said one of the wettest first weeks of March ever.    And I bet its in the top 5 after tomorrow.

[GHweatherChris]

Did not say the wettest March ever... I said one of the wettest first weeks of March ever.    And I bet its in the top 5 after tomorrow.

He didn't say you said that.

[MossMan]

Been a pretty dry day in my area. We did have a few hours of light to moderate rain this evening but have since dried out again. Currently 52 degrees. Still only 41 in Lynden!

[snow_wizard]

These fast moving fronts are fantastic.

 

 

Not here.  It has just been plain ugly here for days now.  Pretty much endless rain and clouds.  One of the roads I drive home on will have to be closed soon if this doesn't stop.  Already about 4 to 6 inches of standing water in one stretch.

[snow_wizard]

Been a pretty dry day in my area. We did have a few hours of light to moderate rain this evening but have since dried out again. Currently 52 degrees. Still only 41 in Lynden!

 

 

Goes to show how ridiculously close the cold air has been.  The tight N to S temperature gradient has a lot to do with how awful the weather has been in this area for the past week.

[GHweatherChris]

Not here.  It has just been plain ugly here for days now.  Pretty much endless rain and clouds.  One of the roads I drive home on will have to be closed soon if this doesn't stop.  Already about 4 to 6 inches of standing water in one stretch.

There is a bit of lowland flooding here and there out this way, but some projects the last 5 years in spots has really helped alleviate it.

 

I am just glad that the the fronts lately are fast moving and that helps with my job and getting things done.

[Poulsbo Snowman]

Did not say the wettest March ever... I said one of the wettest first weeks of March ever.    And I bet its in the top 5 after tomorrow.

I didn't say you said that.  You've got to stop reading into what other people say.  You commented on the first week of March; my comment was regarding the entirety of March.

 

You have a very bad habit of reading into things that are not there. 

[GHweatherChris]

I didn't say you said that.  You've got to stop reading into what other people say.  You commented on the first week of March; my comment was regarding the entirety of March.

 

You have a very bad habit of reading into things that are not there. 

He has a very bad habit of that.

 

I could only imagine what conversations with his wife are like.

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

This is the worst weather I have seen in 60 years. 50 degree rain is just terrible. I would rather have 100 below and 90 mph winds than this joke.

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

Looking like a good bet we see more cold air before the end of the month. 00z shows something interesting.

[Poulsbo Snowman]

Looking like a good bet we see more cold air before the end of the month. 00z shows something interesting.

Pray tell.

[MR.SNOWMIZER]

Pray tell.

there has been many runs showing a cold trough and even some arctic air brushing us in the long range.

[TT-SEA]

Goes to show how ridiculously close the cold air has been.  The tight N to S temperature gradient has a lot to do with how awful the weather has been in this area for the past week.

 

 

EXACTLY.

 

People keep talking excitedly about how close the cold air is this week... but that has been the problem.    And the reason for this gross weather pattern.

 

Get that frickin cold air out of here and let the pattern open up.

 

Roads are about to flood here as well... maybe already have this evening.