2025 Spring PNW Snowpack Part 2
Arbuckle Mountain Snowpack- NE Oregon (USDA- https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdb/site-plots/POR/WTEQ/OR/Arbuckle%20Mtn.html)
I’ve been doing quite a bit of ski touring this winter and have been keeping a fairly close eye on the local snowpack all season long. I have been watching this snotel site in NE Oregon at Arbuckle Mountain (5770ft) this winter, as it has been reporting well above average snowpack all season long. It’s interesting to look at the steepness of the snow-melt curve at this site. The overall peak snowpack occurred around March 24th, but maintained generally the same level up until April 5th. This is consistent with the median curve when things start to decline for spring melt (early April). We have had a pretty sunny spring this year and mild temps so it’s not surprising to me to see the steep melt curve this year. This site has been above the 90th percentile for much of the winter. If it followed that same 90th percentile trajectory on the spring melt curve then we would should see a zero reading about May 27th, however the first zero reading occurred around May 6th this spring showing a pretty rapid melt (almost one month early). In fact, it went to zero even before the median date of the first zero reading. I went back and scrolled through some of the previous year’s data and this steep snowmelt is nothing new, but it’s a bit of a bummer to backcountry skiers who hope for a spring snowpack to stick around into early summer. On the flip-side, mountain bikers and hikers enjoy an early melt so they can get up into the high-country earlier in the season. Whether you’re bummed that the snow is melting too fast or pumped that it is, I hope you have had a chance to get outside and enjoy the spring season. It has been beautiful.
Judis Peak Summit April 27th (Teanaway Mtns Central WA)
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