@Mount Joy Snowman you will appreciate this I'm sure (and so may some others as well):
At 8:00AM on February 11th 2010 I had an average snow depth in my yard of 41". That was by far the deepest snow cover I've seen in my life. February 11th was a sunny day with a high of 32.7 degrees. My snowpack at 6:00PM that evening was 32". After a sunny and 36 degree day on February 12th my snowpack was at 20" at 6:00PM that evening.
In less than 48 hours I lost over half of my snowpack without the temp even reaching 40 degrees. A combination of compaction, sublimation and melting destroyed the record snow cover.
Much is argued about every year about snow accumulating in the last half of winter due to sun angle. I think it's been proven that rates will overcome that well into March as long as temps are also supportive. Having said that, LOSING snow cover is a huge deal on sunny days in February due to that very sun angle. It's very hard to maintain snow cover unless there is ice built into the pack. This is where a period of sleet can do wonders for us if we can get past the fact that it's diminishing our accumulating snow...in the long run, that sleet is giving our white gold staying power. I always try and remember that when heartache sets in with the onset of pingers...
At any rate, that is why I covet snow at this time of year.