Snowpack in the Upper Colo. River Basin is at 99% of the median seasonal peak (when snowpack reaches its max before melting off). That normally comes in early April. We're 44 days ahead of schedule. Looks like 2011 is the closest analog to this year. A lot hinges on spring snow
@LukeRunyon More info on this winter in the West!
@LukeRunyon Just imagine what's going to happen when global warming melts all that snow in the spring.
@LukeRunyon @ColoradoClimate I don’t really want to be the pessimist but if these Wednesday snowstorms continue (😀) will we have to worry about spring flooding or is that just a function how quickly it melts?
@LukeRunyon @CoyoteGulch To say a lot hinges on spring snow is an understatement. :) March and April are historically our big snow months. We might be high and dry and sunny which could sublimate the snowpack meaning the snow water equivalent evaporates. We could be cold and have huge snows and flows
@LukeRunyon I assume this is good news for those rivers and reservoirs?
@LukeRunyon Will be interesting how much Lake Meade recovers
@LukeRunyon And it’s snowing daily here in Fraser at the headwaters!
@LukeRunyon Interesting graph. Middle is most important, because of the volume. April historical range is 10 to 20-25 inches, with a mean ~16. At ~20In., 2011 was a very heavy year, top of second heaviest range, shaded light green. If 2023 tracks it, it will be more global warming snow.
@LukeRunyon I guess we needed a mild winter this year. Remember, Putin counted on that harsh Winter would put Europe and World's energy system on its knees. Now he failed. I guess bigger forces control the weather system now. Likewise, Spring 2022 was cold because it favored Ukrainians.