This weeks storm put us over the top; (606.5 inches of snow)(Patrol-Site)

606.5 inches is a lot of snow! Also of significance is the water content at 68.73 inches tying the winter of 1986 for the 4th wettest since 1970.  However….the winter of 1986 was more noted for rain and Sierra Cement as only 432.6 inches of snow fell that winter. That was the year that the Sherwin’s Slid on the 19th of February I believe.  It was the classic “Pineapple Connection”.

Weather Discussion:

Key 500mb Height Anomalies in the 3 day means showing long wave positions as follows:

Negative height anomaly at 140W……Positive Anomaly at dateline and Western pacific negative height anomaly at 140E north of Japan.

Key eastern pacific height anomaly is too far west to promote significant precip into the Central Sierra. However there will be a period of strong winds from early Wednesday morning throughout the day and evening. Both EC and GFS has this idea.

By Thursday, the upper jet will be pushed northward by rising heights from the south. A rather protracted WSW fetch along with the upper jet will bring wet weather to the pacific northwest. Although there are differences between the EC and the GFS as is even more common during the change of the seasons…..our pattern will more likely be one of periods of warming and cooling along with periods of wind along those lines. The Dweebs feel that there will be another cold storm before the month is over as both 6 to 10 day and 8 to 14 day outlooks still have normal precip for the Mammoth area through the 24th of the month.

It think that it is safe to say that our base has peaked for the great winter of 2011!  Congradualtions….you all survived!


The Dweeber…………………………..;-)




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Reference Glossary of Weather Terms
Disclaimer: I have been a hobbyist meteorologist for over 30 years here in the Mammoth area and I do this for my personal enjoyment. The National Weather Service saves lives every day . . . I do not. When making important planning decisions please use information provided by the National Weather Service as they are the most knowledgeable and accurate information source available today.