Atmosphere Comparison

[Jim]

The endless chatter of weather.

[Nighthiker]

Lot of snow in the Mazzies from the storm this past week.

[chumley]

Though snow levels will be relatively high, the forecast keeps bumping up. Many parts of the high country may double the current snowpack by Wednesday night.

[chumley]

NWS Flagstaff has reported some impressive snow totals from across the northland (note the report time as many of them do not include what fell during the daylight hours today). With the forecast calling for an additional foot or more in many locations by the end of tomorrow -- and more again on Saturday -- this has the potential to result in some impressive numbers.

The best part is that while it looks like next week is trending dry and warmer, it looks like more active weather might follow.

[chumley]

The three day totals are fantastic!

Add a few more tomorrow!

[FOTG]

@chumley
Hannigan Meadows SNOTEL site, 36"

[Jim]

Generally snow levels will be near 4,000 ft at the start potentially dropping to around 3,500 ft. Stronger showers will have the chance to cool the air to the point of briefly lowering the snow level to near 2,500 ft at times.

4 to 8 inches of new snow for the sky islands above 6,000 feet tonight and tomorrow. Probably a drier snow based on the snow level down to 3500'. Perhaps 2500? Sombrero might be snow capped in 24 hours.

[chumley]

The colors on this are a bit challenging to decipher, but our recent storms have brought Arizona's statewide snowpack (snow-water-equivalent) to 136% of normal.

Green line is normal, black line is current, teal line is last year.

Even if it doesn't snow again, the snowpack is currently at 102% of the median highest amount, which usually occurs in the first week of March.

Trends point toward more unsettled weather headed this way in a week, so additions to these amounts are possible.

[chumley]

Hannagan Meadow SNOTEL site, 36"

Seems a little low to me, but it's actually 108% of normal. The average of 8 remote White Mountain area sensors shows 150% of normal across the region.

[chumley]

Unsettled weather looking to bring some welcome spring moisture to much of the state through the end of the week. The forecasters and their model overlords seem to be all over the spectrum on specifics of how the low will wobble. It looks like up to a foot of snow may fall in the favored areas, and perhaps an inch of rain in lower elevations, favoring the eastern half of the state at this point.

While it didn't seem like it to me, the final statistics for winter precipitation across the state came in above normal. Getting a few days of rain and snow just two weeks into spring is delightful!

[xsproutx]

I like how they're honest this time about, "We know some stuff is coming but who knows exactly where or what".

Definitely seemed like a dry winter for most of it but I guess those two big storms just dumped an enormous amount which was nice and welcome. Looking forward to seeing all the ocotillo blooms; those have become my favourite.

[rcorfman]

Unsettled weather looking to bring some welcome spring moisture to much of the state through the end of the week.

Yeah, I'm debating if I want to deal with that this weekend. I have a Grandview to S. Kaibab scheduled starting Friday. At least water shouldn't be an issue...

[sneakySASQUATCH]

We got two feet of unsettled weather and counting. Lucky I have two kids whose school was cancelled to dig out driveway!

[Jim]

@sneakySASQUATCH
According to corporate morning news, it is the biggest snow storm for the front range in years.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

After shoveling twice last night it took a family of 4 4 hours to dig out driveway, truck, mailbox (yes mailbox), and deck. Still snowing. Snowmageddon is real despite numerous previous storms. Pretty sure this is the biggest storm we’ve had in 11 years and it is heavy and wet. So far only one lane has been partially plowed.

[Jim]

@sneakySASQUATCH

What is the death toll up to????

[ youtube video ]

[chumley]

I'm posting this here really for my own future reference as I seem to often forget where to find this. But it's a straight-up 100% nerd-trap where losers like me can be immersively lost in data for hours on end.

It features nice graphs and data from 12 different hydrologic basins in Arizona as well as the statewide numbers. (Dig for other states if that's your thing, but this link focuses on AZ only).
https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/basin-plots/#AZ

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Snowmageddon continues after clearing drive etc. knocking snow off limbs of all the trees last night woke to a major branch which partially broke and fell on the roof. The deck and driveway are dejavu with about the same snow as yesterday. We have to be close to 4’ if not more and radar shows it’s continuing. Ok this is too much snow. There I said it!

[Jim]

Some are just thrilled winter continues. I would rather we be near our normal high of 78, today, and sunny. Last Wednesday was perfect.

Watch, it will be 105 May 10.

Well, so long as there is a decent monsoon flow this summer and plenty of drenching rains for the mountains.

[chumley]

Some nice rainfall totals out there! No real sign of a dominant high pressure system settling over us consistently warming things up in a more typical springtime pattern. These “little” storms continue to bring happiness, I mean moisture, to the state. Looking forward to the next one!

[Jim]

Two guys talking past each other with opposing opinions. lol