Atmosphere Comparison

[Jim]

The endless chatter of weather.

[chumley]

@hikeaz

Just wait til Monday. It's a fee-free day, so the line will back up all the way to Valle.

[Jim]

Snowbowl is very proud of the 14 inches they got from the storm. Seems decent, but then I remember that it is pretty much all they have received for the entire season!

[azbackpackr]

@Jim_H
They're "proud"? Are they standing up and pounding their chests? Giving each other awards? Marching in the streets, carrying signs? Going on talk shows...? I'm just trying to picture this...

[Jim]

Yes, yes Elizabeth, that is exactly what they are doing. Or maybe they're posting heavily on social media about that 14 inches as if it was 40 inches? What, since I live in Phoenix.

[Jim]

Looks like there might be another storm to impact California and Arizona next weekend. Might not, too.

These cyclical threads don't get the traction they once did, and I am not about to dig up the wildflower thread, but I wonder how these late storms will (1) affect February to April wildflowers in the desert, and (2) affect spring allergies with grasses and what ever else was horrible for me in 2015 and 2017.

KOFA NWF reported 1/2 an inch last week, but didn't say where on the refuge. They had a very nice poppy display last year, but that isn't likely this year, as a guess. The very dry September to early January isn't good for flowers, but I hope it isn't good for allergens, either.

[azbackpackr]

@Jim_H
In Picacho State Recreation Area, (which is a California state park on the Colorado River), where I just spent several nights at boat-in campgrounds, the brittle bush has awakened due to the rain, and the plants are sending out tentative flower shoots. Not many shoots, but a few. The ground in places was still slightly damp.

[arizona_water]

A frozen hydrological event is headed for the mountains! I know where I'll be this weekend

https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks ... casts/3851

[Jim]

@arizona_water
Are you actually planning on hiking Humphrey during the event, as the point forecast from your provided link suggests? I'd be interested in seeing pictures, if you do. Too bad the snow total isn't very much, but what can you do.

[arizona_water]

@Jim_H
I would love to get up there on Sunday morning, but I'll probably head somewhere a little closer to home. It looks like snow level will be at 6000ft on the rim. Up to 5 inches at forest lakes! Those are great XC ski conditions.

[Nighthiker]

Light rain with snow overnight. The snow is of a dry type and crunchy to walk on with patches of thin ice underneath. Home at sunrise

[Jim]

Lots of snow pictures, anyone planning to hike Humphrey using the trail (backcountry not yet under enough snow for off trail) any time soon? Just wondering.

[Jim]

Hey! It was finally below zero in Flagstaff this winter. It was -2 yesterday! It's been so warm and mild this winter (not that I mind), that I don't think they have even had many single digit lows this winter, never mind a below zero low.

[oldmanonthetrail]

Hey Jim I was wondering if you would post one of those snow accumulation maps for the Huarache's ?? and southern ranges on the trail ?
Forecasts into March would be greatly appreciated .
I don't mean to be a pain in the arse ....., I follow your thread religiously and really appreciate all your update's
Thanks Dave

[chumley]

Huaraches don't look to be ideal for any depth of snow.

[Jim]

The western drought, and snow drought,... continues.

[oldmanonthetrail]

The western drought, and snow drought,... continues.

Thanks a bunch , I've got my fingers crossed for some winter magic!

[azbackpackr]

@oldmanonthetrail
Me too. More shorts and sandals weather is on the way to my area, after a couple of frigid days in the 60's, and I'm looking forward to catching some rays!

[chumley]

I can’t help but enjoy an 80 degree day in January. It IS pretty damn nice.

But this is getting ridiculous. How about a somewhat extended cold snap in February?

[Jim]

The only reason I wouldn't like this weather is the lack of precipitation, and snow especially for the watersheds. Otherwise, 80 is great. I can do without anymore cold, if cold is a freeze here in the valley and a high less than 65. It is a La Nina winter, and this sort of weather was forecast.

February is a few days away, and so in 4 weeks it is March and spring. I wonder, will this year be a little like 2015, when some areas of the state had late season and out of season precipitation, or like 2014, which I think was just plain dry. As Todd alluded, February is likely to be the deciding month.

What else can I be a wind bag about?

Ah, we start February with the sun at transit being right about 40 degrees, and by the month's end, it is close to 49 degrees, here in Phoenix. This pleases me.

[Jim]

Don't expect a February cold snap or wet period, not until the last half, if at all. Models are showing warm dry ridging (per the CA weather blog twitch) through mid-February. Possible repeat of the December ridge? Maybe, I don't know.

https://twitter.com/Weather_West?ref_sr ... r%5Eauthor