NNE Feb 24-25 Secondary Cyclogenesis and Upslope Obs

[powderfreak]

I gotta sit in the office for now and play quarterback for updating lift status information but the radio calls from patrol are epic. Groomers still on the hill cannot see anything. They are saying its like a sheet has been thrown over the snowcats. Patrol is hooting and hollering, trail checks sound unbelievable. Just dumping quarter sized dendrites. Stand outside and you are covered in snow within seconds. Lift maintenace is getting stuck on snowmobiles going up the hill... calling for groomer escorts. Groomers are having trouble climbing though, too. Just wallowing in snow.

You guys are going to have to put up with me weenie-ing out today because this is just epicness.

Mansfield/Smugglers Notch taking the brunt of this. Hopefully it can fill in further south on the Spine for Sugarbush/MRG area.

[powderfreak]

Just checked the 1,549ft snow board... 8.5" at 5:30am, then cleared. As of 7:40am (2 hours) there's an additional 3.75". Averaging just under 2"/hr.

Storm total 12.25" so far at the base.

[J.Spin]

I gotta sit in the office for now and play quarterback for updating lift status information but the radio calls from patrol are epic. Groomers still on the hill cannot see anything. They are saying its like a sheet has been thrown over the snowcats. Patrol is hooting and hollering, trail checks sound unbelievable. Just dumping quarter sized dendrites. Stand outside and you are covered in snow within seconds. Lift maintenace is getting stuck on snowmobiles going up the hill... calling for groomer escorts. Groomers are having trouble climbing though, too. Just wallowing in snow.

You guys are going to have to put up with me weenie-ing out today because this is just epicness.

Mansfield/Smugglers Notch taking the brunt of this. Hopefully it can fill in further south on the Spine for Sugarbush/MRG area.

Very cool PF, it looks like Bolton is in on some of that as well based on the radar, so I suspect their totals will go up, but Mansfield appears to be in the main fire hose. We’re planning to head up to Bolton today; so I’ll report on what I find, we’ll have to see what the wind has to say though.

[eyewall]

I would definitely say they busted in this area with 2-3" instead of 4-9" as originally forecast but it was nice to see on my visit. I am hoping to get a few runs in today at Bolton Valley.

[J.Spin]

I would definitely say they busted in this area with 2-3" instead of 4-9" as originally forecast but it was nice to see on my visit. I am hoping to get a few runs in today at Bolton Valley.

Just a heads up, I got the word from the Bolton Valley website that all chairs are in wind hold, so we’re packing the skins to tour until the lifts (or in case they don't) open:

[kulaginman]

You guys are going to have to put up with me weenie-ing out today because this is just epicness.

Please, weenie away!! I'm heading up to Jay to get first tracks first thing tomorrow morning - I know your reports are more focused on the Stowe/Mansfield area, but at least it gives me some indication of what's happening along the spine. If anyone can provide any reports for locations farther north it would be much appreciated!

[dendrite]

Still spitting some flakes with breaks of sun too. It looks picturesque with the wet snow plastered on everything. The wind should eventually clear the trees, but it's struggling to do far. Mashed potatoes FTW.

[eyewall]

Just a heads up, I got the word from the Bolton Valley website that all chairs are in wind hold, so we’re packing the skins to tour until the lifts (or in case they don't) open:

Son of a..... Ahh well perhaps tomorrow then

[nzucker]

Another total bust in the Monadnocks...picked up 0.25" here on the backside of the departing low pressure. This sometimes happens with SWFEs where you get stuck between the WAA snows and the secondary formation, but usually this area performs a little better. After some freezing rain in the afternoon, it poured here from like 5pm-8pm, then we changed to snow around 10pm or so, but not in time for anything meaningful. Looks like 40s again on Monday and the clock is starting to tick. The winter of our discontent continues, undeterred by all the model runs and climatology suggesting 4-8" at 1200' in NH. Disgusting.

[Ginx snewx]

We are now all open except for the Sensation Quad and Toll House Double which are delayed due to excessive snowfall.  We are sending snowcats back to dig those out.

14-18" so far.  Still snowing 1-3"/hr.  18" at the 3,000ft snow board.

I wonder if we can run to 2.5 feet up top.  The photos I have today are ridiculous.  Skiers just under the snow, snorkeling.

remarkable, can not wait to see the pics. Ran through some web cams , even snowing nice in Montpelier

[powderfreak]

remarkable, can not wait to see the pics. Ran through some web cams , even snowing nice in Montpelier

Insanity. It looks like something out of northern Japan with like 18" of snow on every little branch and tree. Standing still the snow is over the knees. As I said 3 hours ago, this is going no where quickly.

[Ginx snewx]

Insanity.  It looks like something out of northern Japan with like 18" of snow on every little branch and tree. Standing still the snow is over the knees.  As I said 3 hours ago, this is going no where quickly.

Just a perfect setup. Long way to go too.

[Ginx snewx]

What surprises me is that a high end place like Stowe has no streaming cams setup.

[Ginx snewx]

<p>And oh by the way oops

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/html/StormTotalSnow/StormTotalSnow.shtml

[HoarfrostHubb]

Tim Kelley was saying mountaintops could get 20"

Wonder who he meant...lol

[mattb65]

Insanity. It looks like something out of northern Japan with like 18" of snow on every little branch and tree. Standing still the snow is over the knees. As I said 3 hours ago, this is going no where quickly.

I'd be willing to bet Stowe and Jay Peak have the best skiing conditions in the entire US. Reminds me of my best days out at Alta/Snowbird after an 18-24" overnight fluff bomb. Conditions should be incredible for whoever makes it to the mountain. Any idea on ratios in the upslope?

[borderwx]

don't know technical ratio formulas, but it was 30F at 5AM, dropped now to 21F, hammerin fat fluff.

If you wanted to ski powder, tomorrow AM is going to be about as good as it gets.

J was over knee deep, windloaded was testicle tickling deep, blowin sideways and dumping at 7:30.

the guy who drops the ridge tomorrow AM better not breath to deep!

[dryslot]

GYX And CAR PNS Reports, The county got clocked.

NOUS41 KGYX 251422

PNSGYX

MEZ007>009-012>014-018>028-NHZ001>010-013-014-180235--260222-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

SPOTTER REPORTS

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME

922 AM EST SAT FEB 25 2012

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 8

HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION

IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN

SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE

ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/GRAY

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS

SNOWFALL OF

/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT

MAINE

...ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY...

LIVERMORE FALLS 8.0 918 AM 2/25

TURNER 7.0 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

2 SSW WALES 7.0 645 AM 2/25

LEEDS 7.0 710 AM 2/25

LEWISTON 4.3 204 AM 2/25

1 ENE LISBON FALLS 2.5 821 AM 2/25

...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...

BRIDGTON 7.6 759 AM 2/25

3 NW BRIDGTON 5.7 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

NEW GLOUCESTER 4.5 727 AM 2/25

NORTH SEBAGO 4.5 734 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

WINDHAM 2 NW 3.7 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

GRAY NWS OFFICE 3.7 736 AM 2/25

GORHAM 1.2 653 AM 2/25

PORTLAND - DEERING 0.3 857 AM 2/25

...FRANKLIN COUNTY...

EUSTIS 10.1 712 AM 2/25

...KENNEBEC COUNTY...

ALBION 5.0 850 AM 2/25

...KNOX COUNTY...

HOPE 1.0 754 AM 2/25

...LINCOLN COUNTY...

WESTPORT ISLAND 0.3 800 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

...OXFORD COUNTY...

MIDDLE DAM 13.0 904 AM 2/25

ANDOVER 8.5 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

6 SSE BETHEL 8.0 621 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

1 W OTISFIELD 7.0 702 AM 2/25

4 WSW TURNER 7.0 917 AM 2/25

BETHEL 6.5 702 AM 2/25

2 NE WATERFORD 4.5 813 AM 2/25

...SOMERSET COUNTY...

PITTSTON FARM 12.0 834 AM 2/25

BRASSUA DAM 10.0 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

LONG FALLS DAM 9.8 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

HARMONY 9.0 652 AM 2/25

MOOSEHEAD 8.6 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

NORTH ANSON 7.0 700 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

...WALDO COUNTY...

2 N KNOX 4.0 655 AM 2/25

...YORK COUNTY...

1 SSW CORNISH 4.6 809 AM 2/25 SNOW AND SLEET

NOUS41 KCAR 251309

PNSCAR

MEZ001>006-010-011-015>017-029>032-260109-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

SPOTTER REPORTS

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CARIBOU ME

809 AM EST SAT FEB 25 2012

THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 24

HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION

IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...CWOP

OBSERVERS...SKYWARN SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS

SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/CARIBOU

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS

SNOWFALL OF

/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT

MAINE

...AROOSTOOK COUNTY...

EAGLE LAKE 17.0 757 AM 2/25

GUERETTE 2 S 15.0 712 AM 2/25

BLAINE 14.0 758 AM 2/25

STOCKHOLM 14.0 755 AM 2/25

FORT FAIRFIELD 2 NE 13.0 719 AM 2/25

HODGDON 13.0 755 AM 2/25

ALLAGASH - COOP 12.3 656 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

ALLAGASH 1 ENE 12.0 633 AM 2/25

FORT KENT - COOP 12.0 656 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

PRESQUE ISLE 12.0 546 AM 2/25

LILLE 5 SSE 12.0 430 AM 2/25

SAINT AGATHA 2 WNW 11.3 641 AM 2/25

LILLE 11.0 711 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

CARIBOU 11.0 632 AM 2/25

HOULTON 2 ESE 11.0 741 AM 2/25

HOULTON 1 SSW 10.5 800 AM 2/25

ASHLAND 2 SSE 10.0 732 AM 2/25

SOLDIER POND 5 NW 10.0 623 AM 2/25

HOULTON 1 S 10.0 655 AM 2/25

LILLE 9.5 501 AM 2/25

ORIENT 9.0 708 AM 2/25

ISLAND FALLS 9.0 807 AM 2/25

LIMESTONE 9.0 750 AM 2/25

SHERMAN 8.0 500 AM 2/25

...PENOBSCOT COUNTY...

STETSON 5 ENE 8.0 752 AM 2/25

LINCOLN 7.5 500 AM 2/25

MILLINOCKET 7.0 500 AM 2/25

KENDUSKEAG 5.5 500 AM 2/25

CHARLESTON 4.0 500 AM 2/25

...PISCATAQUIS COUNTY...

MILO 1 W 9.8 738 AM 2/25

KINGBURY 2 SSE 9.5 647 AM 2/25

GUILFORD - COOP 9.0 711 AM 2/25 CO-OP OBSERVER

DOVER-FOXCROFT 9.0 500 AM 2/25

GUILFORD 9.0 706 AM 2/25

MONSON 8.0 500 AM 2/25

MILO 8.0 500 AM 2/25

...WASHINGTON COUNTY...

TOPSFIELD 6.0 759 AM 2/25

$$

NORTON

[ctsnowstorm628]

How did caledonia county do in this one?

I saw sutton had 6.6" from borderwx's report earlier...wasn't sure what was goin on up there. Upslope usually doesn't get past montpelier so I'm wondering if its doing anything over in the valley. Tryin to get a report from my buddy..ill keep trying and let you guys know.

Saw that burke reported 10". Good stuff for them. They needed it.

[wxmanmitch]

Glad the N VT crew is capitalizing on upslope. According the 12Z NAM, they may go until 12Z tomorrow! It would not surprise me if somewhere on Mt. Mansfield or Jay Peak walks away with 30-35"+ from this event total. That's how wild this event is going to be up there. I'm very envious.

Not much more than streamers and scattered snow showers for the Berks and S VT. Unlike some events, it is not congealing into a more generalized upslope band. Why? I'm not exactly sure. It may have something to do with the instability of the lower levels. Lower instability seems to lead to a more general band, while higher instability favors streamers and snow showers over snow bands that align themselves along the terrain. This morning's sounding from ALB shows nearly dry adiabatic lapse rates from the surface to just above H85, and moist adiabatic above that to H65. The inversion is high today at 650 mb. Lower inversions around H85 seem to favor a more generalized upslope band around here.

[borderwx]

How did caledonia county do in this one?

I saw sutton had 6.6" from borderwx's report earlier...wasn't sure what was goin on up there. Upslope usually doesn't get past montpelier so I'm wondering if its doing anything over in the valley. Tryin to get a report from my buddy..ill keep trying and let you guys know.

Saw that burke reported 10". Good stuff for them. They needed it.

ct- my buddy in S Wheelock said 8", blowin sideways, snowin. based on the drive home last night from burke, the heights were full on, 4-5 in the road and snowing, imagine the lakes area is buried.

2" the past hour here at 1080'

awesome storm. still going

[sankaty]

Based on the Web cams, it looks like even Killington is getting hammered by upslope right now. Hope it keeps up. I can't make it up to the northern Greens for a day trip. The Sugarbush Web cam looks amazing.

[mahk_webstah]

still snowing light to mod in Montreal...the echoes just keep redeveloping over us. dont' know how the dynamics work up here but we have had snow all morning at various intensities. I get to drive down 89 tomorrow right through all that upslope

[Ginx snewx]

still snowing light to mod in Montreal...the echoes just keep redeveloping over us.  dont' know how the dynamics work up here but we have had snow all morning at various intensities.  I get to drive down 89 tomorrow right through all that upslope

it is interesting on Sat views, it appears to me that vorticity has spun off the parent low and is adding to your snow and I suspect is further enhancing the tremendous upslope VT is seeing.

[weathafella]

Vim Toot! Ftw.

[red]

6.1" of plaster up this way. Looked nice this morning but the melt has already begun.

[OceanStWx]

Map of the "storm" total snow for our CWA. Of course the mountain could tack on another 4-6" today in the favored upslope regions (that is not included here).

[Allenson]

Upslope usually doesn't get past montpelier

We get some here this far east, although it's more a result of a secondary rise in topography. Certainly not to the level of the Greens but we do get it. Snowing atm, actually.

[kulaginman]

2" the past hour here at 1080'

awesome storm. still going

Keep the reports coming whenever you get a chance! I'm heading up to Jay with a few buddies EARLY tomorrow morning...and while powderfreak does an amazing job reporting from Stowe/Mansfield, I'm always left wondering what conditions are like farther north. You're probably one of the closest reporting members to Jay Peak...

[dryslot]

Map of the "storm" total snow for our CWA. Of course the mountain could tack on another 4-6" today in the favored upslope regions (that is not included here).

Nice product, Outlines pretty well where the gradient set up