More Snow

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

By Lisa Van Sciver

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Sometimes in Jackson, it seems as if it will never stop snowing. This is probably why I live here.

Last spring, the wintery weather continued into June. This spring has been a combination of warm, sunny days and rain/snow storms. Last week’s warm weather sped up the spring runoff, sending water down the streets. In the mountains, wet slides ran on all aspects, covering slopes in piles of avalanche debris. At the highest elevations, above 10,000 feet, on due north aspects powder skiing conditions never melted. But when it did not freeze below 10,000 feet, the main hazard became getting there. Punchy isothermal snow and lakes under melting ice turned skiers away.

The winter of 93 feet was not a big snow season. The Village closed with 348 inches of snowfall in the Rendezvous Bowl, but Mother Nature decided to bring back the snow in June and through mid July. During this early summer snow cycle, more than six feet of snow fell on the lower saddle and new snow avalanches ran off the Grand Teton more than 1,000 feet to the meadows. In the Tetons, wintery conditions and avalanches can occur any month of the year, so always be aware of the snow surrounding you.

As new snow falls in the mountains, it covers variable surfaces and becomes an avalanche hazard, especially when the temperatures increase. At lower elevations where the snow is not freezing, there is a potential for wet slides. Rainfall easily percolates through isothermal snow making it extremely likely the snow will move. When the low pressure breaks, hopefully clear days and freezing nights will return the perfect corn cycle, but until then, enjoy the upper elevation powder.


PERMALINK:
More Snow | Planet JH News Article: Snow Report Column

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