Spring is Here
By Alexis George
Our snowpack, although still present, has slowly been dwindling over the course of this month. At the beginning of March, there was a snow depth of 27 inches at the summit. However, the combination of above-freezing temperatures and rainfall that occurred earlier this month has diminished the snowpack, with the snowpack decreasing to as low as 11 inches. While it is normal for the snowpack to start decreasing as the winter season comes to an end, the current snowpack is quite different from what it was last year. In March 2023, the maximum snow depth on the ground was 34 inches, with the snowpack only reaching a low of 19 inches. New England also got hit with a good snowstorm just around this time last year, with the summit receiving around 13 inches of snowfall from March 14–15. Pats Peak, where I often go snowboarding, was reported to have received around 30 inches of new snow around this time last year!
As the spring season nears, mid-to-late March may bring winter’s last hurrahs before giving way to warmer and sunnier weather conditions. And this looks to be the case, as we just received nearly 5 inches of new snow accumulation at the summit today, March 15th! And Mother Nature looks like it will try to hold out with winter weather conditions for as long as possible, with snow showers in the forecast for Mount Washington through the beginning of next week.
Weather outlook for Mount Washington over the next few days
Spring definitely feels like it is just over the horizon, though. Even Nimbus has been venturing through the tower more often recently to visit the observers in the weather room (though he wouldn’t dare set a paw outside yet). Soon, the observation deck will be clear of snow again, and many more visitors and hikers will be seen enjoying the spectacular views on a clear spring day.
Alexis enjoying a clear and sunny day at Mount Washington this winter.
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