According to SnoTel data provided by the National Water and Climate Center, snow-depths are currently staggering in California for the first time in quite some time. And it’s not just California that is seeing above average snow-depths. Across the western United States, a polarizing view of El Nino effects on snowfall are revealing some early season indicators that reveal a shift in what’s been seen over the past few years. For instance, Wyoming and Montana are very dry this early season and California, Colorado and Utah are in the purple in some cases (see above).
For one, Moab and southeast Utah have seen historic precipitation with 2350% in some places compared to their 1981-2010 Snow Water Equivalent (SWE).
Simply put, the numbers are crazy and although the National Water and Climate Center are very reputable sources, we are checking on the validity of the following data. That said, here are some of their findings.
California
As of today, the Tahoe Area is at 750% of its median SWE, which lies in start contrast to the 8% SWE those areas were sporting at the end of March this year.
Also Read:Â California’s snowpack is at 8% of average!
Basically, El Niño giveth and El Niño taketh away but right now the Niño is in a giving mood.
Utah
The numbers may be off just by their sheer contrast to any of their counterparts. That said, southern Utah is a normally dry place so extreme precip could result in extreme numbers. How extreme? 2350% of the median Snow Water Equivalent kind of extreme…
Colorado
So far Colorado’s numbers are reasonable and bode well for early season coverage. That said, sharks don’t know what SWE means and neither does your ACL. As far as winners are concerned, the Aspen area is currently boasting 126% of their median SWE.
You know where I’m going? A little place called Asssspeeennnnn.
