A Happy Crew

2007-04-05 18:52:54.000 – Kyle Paddleford,  Observer

Yankee Drift Making A Comeback

The snow has been falling since shift change yesterday and will continue to do so through the evening. The other crew is happy because they are finally in the valley for a good storm and are able to hit the slopes while the snow is good. We are happy because our shift has been asking for a good winter storm on the summit for a while and we finally got it. It seems to me that this fits the definition of a win-win situation.

Snow totals have not been too impressive when compared to some valley locations. This is often the case with surface based low pressure coastal storms. The bulk of the moisture and instability tends to remain at lower levels below the summit. As the air is forced to rise over the summit a lot of the moisture is wrung out before it even reaches us. However, as these systems pull away from the region, the summit usually makes up for the difference in snow totals on the back side of the storm from wrap around precipitation and upslope snow showers. It appears that this is the case now, as snow and snow showers are forecast to continue tonight and tomorrow.

Another interesting aspect of this storm was the calm winds this morning. It was one of the rare occasions where the snow fell vertically as opposed to horizontally. The snow fell quietly and covered up the usual scoured bare spots. Winds eventually increased and the usual bare spots and drifts began to appear in their normal spots returning the summit to a winter like state for the time being!

Kyle Paddleford,  Observer