Cascade Snowfall and Snowdepth 2002-2003
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2002-2003 Snow Season Summary
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See the main Cascade Snowfall and Snowdepth page for historical snowpack info.
Detailed Snow Season Reports: 2005-2006, 2004-2005,
2003-2004, 2002-2003; see also
Previous Seasons, Normals & Info, and
Cascades El Niño / La Niña
NEW: Historical NWAC Snowdepth Data & Plots and
Paradise & Crater Lake Snowfall/Snowdepth Plots
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The 2002-2003 season was an extremely unusual, truly bizarre snow year in the Cascades, beginning
with prolonged drought from October through early December, followed by tremendous near-record snowfalls until
New Years Day, especially in California. But the heart of the winter season in January and February had well
below-normal snowfall throughout the range, with only a few scattered storm cycles as snowpacks dwindled to 50%
and even 40% of normal depths in Oregon and Washington. However, the finish was quite spectacular, with March
and April again having near-record snowfalls especially in British Columbia and California. As of May 1, the
snowpack in northern California was significantly above-normal, while it was close to normal depths throughout
the rest of the Cascades from Oregon to British Columbia, except at low elevations where it was below-normal.
Snowdepths in northern California were the largest in 5 years, comparable to the huge El Niño year of
1997-98.
Overall, the 2002-2003 season was average to spectacular at higher elevations, but quite dismal at
low elevations throughout the Cascade Range. The spring and early summer were in fine shape for ski
mountaineering on the volcanoes, most notably on Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak in California. The greatest
snowdepth recorded anywhere in the Cascades (and in North America) during the season was a surprising 245"
(622 cm) on May 1, 2003, at Lake Helen on Lassen Peak, following near-record snowfall of about 17 ft during the
month of April. The graph below summarizes snowdepths at 10 important sites throughout the entire Cascade Range
during the 2002-2003 season (note that a few missing data values have been estimated). This is followed by a
graph tracking the daily evolution of the snowpack on Mount Shasta, and an archive of the monthly snowdepth
stats and commentaries during the season can be found below the graphs.
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Daily Evolution of the Snowpack
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This very informative plot shows the evolution of the snowpack during the 2002-2003 season at the
two automated measuring stations on Mount Shasta, located at Sand Flat (6800 ft / 2100 m) on the southwest side
and Old Ski Bowl (7600 ft / 2300 m) on the south. An ultrasonic distance sensor looking downward from an arm
attached to a pole measures the depth (height) of the snowpack, while an antifreeze-filled "pillow" at ground
level measures the gauge pressure at the bottom of the snowpack. The snow water content (SWC), which is the
depth of water that would result if the snowpack were melted in place, equals the gauge pressure divided by the
acceleration of gravity and the density of water, SWC = P / (g ρ).
The data points shown in this graph are those recorded at midnight each day, although the sensors actually
return hourly data. Note that the station in Old Ski Bowl was not operational before mid-December 2002.
The most interesting features seen in the plot are the numerous jumps during major snowstorms,
several of which deposited as much as 3-6 ft of snowfall, with over 10 ft during the first major storm in
December. Each snowstorm is followed by a period of settlement, during which the snowdepth decreases as
much as several inches per day while the SWC stays flat (or may even increase if snow is still slowly
falling). This settlement continues until the next storm cycle again builds the snowpack. Unlike the
highly variable snowdepth, the SWC only decreases if there is significant warm weather which actually melts
the snowpack and causes runoff. In this year's data, there are no such decreases before mid-March, but
significant warming later on during the spring will inevitably cause rapid decreases in both snowdepth and
snow water content. The snowdepth at Old Ski Bowl has tracked that at Sand Flat fairly well throughout the
season, but it is about 30-40% greater. This season's snowfall at Sand Flat through May 1 is probably about 500 inches
(estimated from the SWC of 62 inches and by comparison with measured snowfall at Lassen Chalet), so the
station in Old Ski Bowl has probably received close to 700 inches.
Place your mouse over the image to add data from Sand Flat for the 2001-2002 season to the plot
(this only works if you have a JavaScript-enabled browser). The May 1 snowdepth at Sand Flat is over three
times greater in 2003 than in 2002. WOW! Looks like a great spring and early summer for ski mountaineering on
Shasta!
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Monthly Snowfall and Snowdepth Reports for the 2002-2003 Season
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The tables below show monthly snowfall and snowdepth info at 33 measurement sites along the entire
length of the Cascade Range, primarily on or near the Cascade volcanoes. The frequency of data collection varies
at these sites, from hourly automated telemetry to manual daily or monthly measurements. Note that multiple
sites or data sources are found at several of these locations, and their data values typically differ slightly
from each other. See Information about Cascade Snowdepth Measurement
Sites for more details about these sites including normal snowdepths throughout the season.
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Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 December 2002)
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The early season featured mostly clear and sunny weather, with consistent stable high pressure
and a strong temperature inversion causing a severe lack of snowfall throughout the Cascade Range. October was
almost completely dry, and November remained so until the first major storm system came ashore in northern
California on November 7. Over 3 ft of snow fell on Mount Shasta in three days, and almost 4 ft at Crater Lake
starting a day later. Washington missed out though, as snowfall amounts dropped rapidly north of Mount Hood and
Saint Helens, which received about 2 ft, with mostly rain below 5000 ft elevation. The northern WA Cascades and
southwest BC got more snowfall in the middle of the month, but November finished dry throughout the entire range.
All Northwest ski areas except Whistler remained closed, and ski conditions were marginal and often nasty.
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
01 Dec 2002 |
17" |
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45% |
|
— |
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| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
17" | 40% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
19" | 46% | 43" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
30" | 75% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
16" | 33% | 30" |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | 1" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
8" | 17% | 44" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
11" | 25% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
4" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
2" | 3% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | 0" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
8" | 19% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
8" | 30% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | missing data |
— | — | — |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
9" | 40% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
5" | 15% | 47" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
5" | 20% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
14" | 70% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
14" | 70% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
12" | 50% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
0" | 0% | 0" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Dec 2002 |
8" | 36% | 28" |
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Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 January 2003)
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The early-season dry pattern continued unabated into December. The high pressure finally broke
down on December 9, beginning a huge storm cycle which would last until the New Year. The bulk of the moisture
was directed into northern California, as over 10 ft of snow fell on Mount Shasta during the next week with
similar amounts on Lassen Peak. The storms continued one after another with only brief pauses until January 1.
The year-to-date snowfall listed for Lassen Chalet is probably an underestimate, as snow fell so rapidly and
settled so quickly during this period that only the increase in snow water content (SWC) could provide a fair
estimate of snowfall. By January 1, some 33 inches of SWC had been gained at Sand Flat on Shasta, so snowfall on
Shasta and Lassen for the three-week period was probably about 250-300 inches. Snowfall amounts decreased
significantly to the north throughout Oregon, Washington, and into BC, with low elevation sites in these areas
receiving considerable rainfall. However, southwestern BC received a big Christmas present from Santa, as 14
inches fell at Whistler on December 24 followed by 41 inches on the 25th, finally boosting snowpacks there to
above-normal levels.
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(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
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Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
30 Dec 2002 |
66" |
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97% |
|
— |
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| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 02 Jan 2003 |
103" | 115% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
72" | 114% | 175" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 06 Jan 2003 |
71" | 88% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | 31 Dec 2002 |
39" | 74% | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
84" | 95% | 178" |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
32" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
43" | 69% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
35" | 66% | 48" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
50" | 125% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
72" | 79% | 205" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
35" | 100% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
61" | 73% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
84" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
82" | 108% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
55" | 74% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
33" | 106% | 48" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
62" | 89% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
54" | 108% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
90" | — | 150" |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
58" | 138% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
89" | 139% | 177" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
85" | 160% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
59" | 147% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
60" | 150% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
155" | 230% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
122" | 240% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
30" | 200% | 56" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Jan 2003 |
126" | 215% | 217" |
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Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 February 2003)
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The huge December storm cycle ended abruptly on January 1 in the southern part of the range, and
tailed off rapidly in the northern part following a major warm and rainy storm system at the start of the month.
A return to the early-season pattern of stable high-pressure then ensued throughout the range. A major storm on
January 10-12 brought 2-3 ft of snow to Shasta and Lassen, but this would be the only significant snowstorm for
the entire month in the southern Cascades. The latter part of the month brought heavy precipitation to the
northern parts of the range, but unfortunately very high snow levels meant that most of it fell as rain at the
measuring sites. Snowdepths dipped to dire levels at many locations by the end of the month, with northern
Oregon leading the suffering at only about 40% of normal snowpack. The situation was somewhat better farther
north and south, but only California remained above-normal by February 1.
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(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
31 Jan 2003 |
80" |
|
89% |
|
— |
|
| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
97" | 85% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | 31 Jan 2003 |
38" | 65% | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
77" | 95% | 245" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 30 Jan 2003 |
72" | 66% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | 29 Jan 2003 |
30" | 38% | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
82" | 66% | 250" |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
40" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
58" | 67% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
41" | 80% | 87" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
48" | 83% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
78" | 59% | 273" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
26" | 50% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
71" | 70% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
52" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
75" | 64% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
44" | 43% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
2" | 5% | 50" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
41" | 41% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
33" | 43% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
70" | — | 185" |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
31" | 52% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
64" | 69% | 214" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
61" | 75% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
34" | 74% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
68" | 120% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | 28 Jan 2003 |
130" | 148% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
125" | 140% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 28 Jan 2003 |
96" | 132% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | 31 Jan 2003 |
67" | 120% | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 31 Jan 2003 |
10" | 45% | 64" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | 28 Jan 2003 |
153" | 126% | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Feb 2003 |
90" | 105% | 255" |
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Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 March 2003)
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The bleak snowpack situation continued into early February, as cooler weather and a few small
storms in the northern Cascades did little to build the snowpack, while California remained dry. The snowdepth
reached a minimum on February 15 just before a major storm system moved ashore. This quickly dumped about 2 ft
of snow on Shasta and Lassen, but then the storm track shifted north where it was needed most in Oregon and
Washington. Cooler westerly flow allowed most of the heavy precipitation to fall as snow, and most sites in
this region received 2-6 ft of snowfall in a series of storms over the next week. Snowdepths edged back up
towards respectable levels especially at higher-elevation sites on Mounts Hood, Rainier, and Baker, but still
only northern California had depths at or above normal amounts by March 1.
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
28 Feb 2003 |
77" |
|
71% |
|
— |
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| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
103" | 75% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | 26 Feb 2003 |
45" | 61% | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
78" | 82% | 267" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 25 Feb 2003 |
89" | 62% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | 24 Feb 2003 |
43" | 43% | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
115" | 76% | 329" |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
72" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
67" | 67% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
44" | 49% | 104" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
63" | 98% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
109" | 69% | 337" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
36" | 64% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
89" | 70% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
76" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
97" | 69% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
64" | 54% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
22" | 47% | 82" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
67" | 58% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
50" | 55% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
90" | — | 240" |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
47" | 68% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
73" | 65% | 247" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
74" | 75% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
41" | 68% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
82" | 110% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | 25 Feb 2003 |
129" | 120% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
136" | 125% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 25 Feb 2003 |
100" | 109% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | 24 Feb 2003 |
72" | 100% | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
14" | 54% | 84" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | 25 Feb 2003 |
160" | 107% | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Mar 2003 |
96" | 87% | 282" |
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Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 April 2003)
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The month of March brought a remarkable turnabout in the fortunes of the Cascade snowpack, too
late to save the season at many ski areas but just in time to begin building up the snowpack for spring and
summer ski mountaineering. The first days were mostly dry and inauspicious, but then a major storm system
driven by westerly and northwesterly flow brought massive amounts of snow to southern Washington and northern
Oregon on March 5-7. Snow levels dropped to near sea level as 4-6 ft of snowfall was recorded in 2 days at
Crystal Mountain and Mount Hood, tailing off to the south with about 3 ft on Mount Bachelor and less than 2 ft
at Crater Lake. (I remember swimming in 3-5 ft of fresh, dry powder at Crystal Mountain on March 7,
almost Utah-style snow with 5% water content! A truly amazing day, but tempered by sadness at news of the
suffocation death of a skier in a tree well.) However, the cool and wet pattern soon shifted to a warm and wet
one in the northern Cascades, with rain at many low elevation sites over the next few days. High elevation
sites did well though, such as the 47 inches received at Whistler Mountain on March 12-13 (Whistler nearly set a
new March snowfall record with 132 inches [336 cm] during the month, surpassing even the huge March of 1999 and
trailing 1974 by only 3 inches [7 cm]). The only major storm system to hit the California Cascades during the
month dumped 4-6 ft of snow there from March 13-17, leaving the rest of March dry in the south. But the
northern Cascades received another storm cycle from the March 20-27, dropping 3-6 ft from Mount Bachelor north
into southwestern British Columbia. By April 1, snowdepths were near-normal in much of the Cascades, except at
low elevation sites which remained significantly below normal.
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
31 Mar 2003 |
116" |
|
100% |
|
— |
|
| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
138" | 95% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
50" | 66% | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
111" | 109% | 399" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
137" | 83% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | 30 Mar 2003 |
55" | 49% | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
171" | 98% | 523" |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
100" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
84" | 82% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
50" | 58% | 191" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
76" | 110% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
151" | 86% | 492" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
42" | 78% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
127" | 85% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
101" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
168" | 103% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
100" | 76% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
32" | 80% | 153" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
100" | 81% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
66" | 65% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
115" | 85% | 325" |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
55" | 73% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
96" | 77% | 320" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
88" | 81% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
44" | 70% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
75" | 95% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | 28 Mar 2003 |
151" | 124% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
150" | 120% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 28 Mar 2003 |
116" | 116% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | 25 Mar 2003 |
83" | 104% | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
0" | 0% | 105" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | 24 Mar 2003 |
186" | 105% | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Apr 2003 |
105" | 101% | 350" |
|
|
Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 April 2003)
|
|
April continued the stormy pattern established in March, with cool and unstable air maintaining
clouds and showers at moderately-low snow levels over most of the Oregon and Washington Cascades. The big storm
systems decided to head for California, though, bringing major snowfalls at very low snow levels, sometimes even
lower than those found far to the north during the same time period. The first major storm brought 2-3 ft to
Shasta and Lassen on April 2-4, followed by warm and dry weather and then an even bigger storm which dumped 3-5
ft from April 12-14. The Oregon Cascades shared in the bounty, with about 4 ft of snow during the first week of
April from Crater Lake to Mount Hood, and as far north as Mount Saint Helens. The Washington Cascades have
largely missed out on the April festivities thus far, but southwestern BC has not. Whistler received 3-4 ft on
April 7-9, and appears headed for a record April snowfall to follow its near-record March, making this now the
3rd snowiest year there in the last two decades. Overall, the Cascade snowpack is near-normal in most areas as
of mid-April, except for low elevation sites which are all significantly below normal. Southwestern BC enjoys a
slightly above-normal snowpack, while northern California shines with a snowdepth about 150% of normal at sites
on Shasta and Lassen.
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
15 Apr 2003 |
120" |
|
110% |
|
— |
|
| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
140" | 100% | — |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
126" | 127% | 460" |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 10 Apr 2003 |
131" | 80% | — |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
148" | 88% | — |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
104" | — | — |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
78" | 83% | — |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
42" | 73% | 218" |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
70" | 99% | — |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
155" | 90% | 549" |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
30" | 67% | — |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
126" | 90% | — |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
115" | — | — |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
175" | 109% | — |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
105" | 81% | — |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
6" | 23% | 175" |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
99" | 81% | — |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
69" | 71% | — |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
114" | 90% | 370" |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
53" | 56% | — |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
105" | 91% | 381" |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
92" | 90% | — |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
59" | 95% | — |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
94" | 132% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft |
no data |
— | — | — |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
185" | 160% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
138" | 153% | — |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft |
no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 15 Apr 2003 |
13" | 115% | 160" |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft |
no data |
— | — | — |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 14 Apr 2003 |
144" | 150% | 451" |
|
|
Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 May 2003)
|
|
The big news continues to come from the California Cascades. A series of major winter-like storm
systems have dumped massive amounts of snow on Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak throughout the month of April,
building snowpacks to a seasonal high. This was capped by the intense storm cycle of April 24-29, which dumped
another 4-6 ft on the mountains of the region. As of May 1, the snowdepth on Shasta and Lassen is 150-190% of
normal for this date and is comparable to the huge snow years of 1994-95 and 1997-98, which were the largest
since the record season of 1982-83. The Shasta and Lassen snowpacks are also tops in the entire Cascade Range
by a significant margin, with snowdepths of 40-60% greater than Hood, Rainier, or Baker at trailhead elevations.
At the northern end of the range, Whistler Mountain followed up its near-record snowfall of March with a record
amount for April of 76 inches (194 cm), most of it falling during the first half of the month. Whistler now has
the most above-normal snowpack in the range outside of California (but only at high elevations, the snowdepths
decrease dramatically at lower elevations).
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
|
Year to Date
Max. Depth |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
30 Apr 2003 |
112" |
|
106% |
|
— |
|
— |
| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
126" | 95% | — |
156", 07 Apr 2003 |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | 30 Apr 2003 |
28" | 47% | — |
— |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
112" | 120% | 475" |
138", 10 Apr 2003 |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 28 Apr 2003 |
123" | 78% | — |
— |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | 30 Apr 2003 |
54" | 53% | — |
— |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 May 2003 |
138" | 100% | 586" |
171", 01 Apr 2003 |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
101" | — | — |
114", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
67" | 81% | — |
105", 09 Mar 2003 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
24" | 39% | 227" |
— |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
59" | 76% | — |
— |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
146" | 91% | 573" |
175", 26 Mar 2003 |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
— |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 May 2003 |
123" | 90% | — |
145", 26 Mar 2003 |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 May 2003 |
109" | — | — |
135", 06 Apr 2003 |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
174" | 115% | — |
187", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
104" | 81% | — |
129", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
0" | 0% | 180" |
77", 08 Mar 2003 |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 May 2003 |
97" | 84% | — |
118", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 May 2003 |
63" | 69% | — |
95", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 01 May 2003 |
107" | 90% | 390" |
132", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 May 2003 |
46" | 78% | — |
72", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 May 2003 |
113" | 110% | 407" |
120", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
97" | 105% | — |
111", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 May 2003 |
51" | 106% | — |
60", 06 Apr 2003 |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 May 2003 |
101" | 160% | — |
106", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | 01 May 2003 |
190" | 178% | — |
190", 01 May 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 01 May 2003 |
203" | 190% | — |
207", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 01 May 2003 |
147" | 182% | — |
155", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | 01 May 2003 |
105" | 191% | — |
105", 01 May 2003 |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 May 2003 |
14" | 285% | 201" |
32", 31 Dec 2002 |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | 01 May 2003 |
245" | 153% | — |
245", 01 May 2003 |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 30 Apr 2003 |
206" | — | 531" |
206", 30 Apr 2003 |
|
|
Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 June 2003)
|
|
A series of smaller but still significant storms continued to maintain and build the deep snowpack
in northern California in early May, but then the snow pretty much stopped by the middle of the month, and warm
sunny weather began to diminish the massive snowpack there. Note that snowdepths on Lassen Peak remain the
deepest in the entire range, with over 10 ft at the Lassen Chalet and 15 ft at Lake Helen, although official
data is no longer available. Modest snows also occurred early in the month in more northern parts of the range,
but the fairly average snowpack in these regions began to rapidly melt away, especially at low elevations. As
of June 1 this year, fantastic corn snow conditions are generally found throughout the Cascade Range at higher
elevations (above 4000 ft in the north ranging to 6500 ft in the south), especially on the volcanoes. And
that's the way it should be!
|
(Italicized numbers are estimated) |
State /
Province |
|
Measurement Site Location |
|
Elevation |
|
Date of
Measurement |
|
Snow
Depth |
|
Percent of
Normal |
|
Seasonal
Snowfall |
|
Year to Date
Max. Depth |
BRITISH
COLUMBIA |
Tenquille Lake (east of Mount Meager) | 5500 ft |
31 May 2003 |
85" |
|
115% |
|
— |
|
— |
| Upper Squamish River (NW of Mt Cayley) | 4400 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
87" | 110% | — |
156", 07 Apr 2003 |
| Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) | 3400 ft | 30 May 2003 |
8" | 43% | — |
— |
| Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (north of Garibaldi) | 5400 ft | 02 Jun 2003 |
79" | 111% | 484" |
138", 10 Apr 2003 |
| Orchid Lake (south of Mount Garibaldi) | 3900 ft | 26 May 2003 |
87" | 86% | — |
— |
| Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) | 3600 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
— |
| WASHINGTON |
Mount Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) | 4200 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
84" | — | 586+" |
171", 01 Apr 2003 |
| Middle Fork Nooksack (NW of Mt Baker) | 5000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
70" | — | — |
114", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Stevens Pass | 4000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
14" | 60% | — |
105", 09 Mar 2003 |
| Snoqualmie Pass | 3000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
0" | 0% | 245" |
— |
| Crystal Mountain Ski Area (NE of Rainier) | 4400 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
— |
| Mount Rainier, Paradise (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
110" | 90% | 603" |
175", 26 Mar 2003 |
| White Pass | 4500 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
— |
| White Pass, Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) | 5900 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
84" | — | — |
145", 26 Mar 2003 |
| Mount Saint Helens, Swift Creek (south side) | 3800 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
70" | — | — |
135", 06 Apr 2003 |
| OREGON |
Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge (south side) | 6000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
119" | — | — |
187", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Hood Test Site (south side) | 5400 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
63" | 86% | — |
129", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Hood, Government Camp (SW side) | 4000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
0" | 0% | 188" |
77", 08 Mar 2003 |
| Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) | 5200 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
55" | — | — |
118", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) | 4800 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
10" | 25% | — |
95", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Bachelor Ski Area (north side) | 6300 ft | 26 May 2003 |
76" | 120% | 410" |
132", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) | 4900 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
0" | 0% | — |
72", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Crater Lake, Park Headquarters (SW side) | 6400 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
57" | 115% | 423" |
120", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) | 6000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
49" | 110% | — |
111", 06 Apr 2003 |
| Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) | 6000 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
1" | 15% | — |
60", 06 Apr 2003 |
| CALIFORNIA |
Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) | 6700 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
33" | — | — |
106", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) | 7900 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
190", 01 May 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) | 7600 ft | 02 Jun 2003 |
127" | 160% | — |
207", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) | 6800 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
80" | — | — |
155", 29 Apr 2003 |
| Mount Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) | 6200 ft | no data |
— | — | — |
105", 01 May 2003 |
| Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) | 5800 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
0" | 0% | 201" |
32", 31 Dec 2002 |
| Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) | 8200 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
180" | — | — |
245", 01 May 2003 |
| Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) | 6700 ft | 01 Jun 2003 |
120" | — | 550" |
206", 30 Apr 2003 |
|
|
Data on this page provided by:
Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center,
Mount Shasta Avalanche Center,
Oregon & Washington Snow Surveys (NRCS),
California Cooperative Snow Surveys,
British Columbia River Forecast Centre & Snow Surveys,
Western Regional Climate Center,
National Climatic Data Center,
Environment Canada National Climate Archive,
Mount Rainier,
Crater Lake, and
Lassen Volcanic National Parks,
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort,
Mount Baker Ski Area,
Stevens Pass Ski Area, and
Mount Bachelor Ski Resort.
|
|