weathafella Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 341 for the season to date. A foot or more more this week...big snow week on tap. Can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozz Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I'm starting to plan a trip next winter to spend 10 days sucking snowflakes in Valdez,AK. I would hold off buying the ticket until it was clear I was going in a very snowy period. But they've had 103 inches so far this month, 75 otg officially....I think it snows there. Who's in? I'd love to spend a winter in Valdez, but, like you said, it's hard to know ahead of time when any place would get a snowy period. Plenty of mountains and ski resorts even in the lower 48 average as much or more than Valdez (including Jay Peak in Vermont). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 341 for the season to date. A foot or more more this week...big snow week on tap. Can't wait. You'll never go. Dreams are just that..dreams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 You'll never go. Dreams are just that..dreams I'll save a seat for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I'll save a seat for you. Epic http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/sd_pafc_sites.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Under 700 rt to anchorage. Pete...should I just drive to valdez or spend the extra 400 and fly there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Under 700 rt to anchorage. Pete...should I just drive to valdez or spend the extra 400 and fly there? Check out the depth maps Jerry, you do not need to go Far from the Airport to see 125 inch depths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Was looking at the METARs from some of their big events...lol at this stretch on Jan 5. METAR PAVD 052056Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M08/M09 A2952 RMK AO1 2047Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 14004KT 57014 PNO METAR PAVD 052116Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M08/M10 A2952 RMK AO1 2047Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 14004KT PNO METAR PAVD 052136Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M08/M11 A2951 RMK AO1 2047Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 14004KT PNO METAR PAVD 052156Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M08/M11 A2950 RMK AO1 2147Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 01005KT PNO METAR PAVD 052216Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M08/M09 A2948 RMK AO1 2147Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 01005KT PNO METAR PAVD 052236Z 24003KT M1/4SM VV000 M07/M08 A2948 RMK AO1 2147Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 01005KT PNO METAR PAVD 052256Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M07/M08 A2947 RMK AO1 2247Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT PNO METAR PAVD 052316Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M07/M09 A2945 RMK AO1 2247Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT PNO METAR PAVD 052336Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M07/M09 A2944 RMK AO1 2247Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT PNO METAR PAVD 052356Z 27005KT M1/4SM VV000 M06/M08 A2944 RMK AO1 2347Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT 11060 21080 410601120 57027 PNO METAR PAVD 060016Z 28007KT M1/4SM VV000 M06/M06 A2946 RMK AO1 2347Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT PNO METAR PAVD 060036Z 01006KT M1/4SM VV000 M05/M06 A2949 RMK AO1 2347Z WEA: +SN TWR WND 00000KT PNO METAR PAVD 060056Z 23003G18KT M1/4SM VV000 M05/M07 A2954 RMK AO1 0047Z WEA: +SN PRESRR TWR WND 16011KT 130V190 PNO METAR PAVD 060116Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M06/M08 A2955 RMK AO1 0047Z WEA: +SN PRESRR TWR WND 16011KT 130V190 PNO METAR PAVD 060136Z 00000KT M1/4SM VV000 M05/M08 A2955 RMK AO1 0047Z WEA: +SN PRESRR TWR WND 16011KT 130V190 PNO Getting M1/4 visibilities on an AWOS for 6 hours with 0 ceiling is insane. You probably wouldn't have seen your hand extended out in front of you. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavisStraight Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Check out the depth maps Jerry, you do not need to go Far from the Airport to see 125 inch depths I noticed a 150 also, wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 Steve...yes but the appeal of being in a town, walking around the business district with 6-7 feet on the ground and 2/hour is special. I won't be skiing....just walking around in +SN. Brian.....wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.Spin Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 If you want consistent, practically non-stop snows, travel to the "snow country" of Japan -- the western provinces of the main island (Honshu). It's Japan's equivalent of our lake-effect snows as cold air sweeps down from Siberia, picks up moisture over the Sea of Japan, then dumps it on those provinces. Very consistent climatic feature there and it's like having non-stop snow guns on full blast for months. Indeed, I really like the setup along the western regions of both Honshu and Hokkaido; it very much reminds me of the way things are in the Northern Greens with the constant snowfall, snowy ski towns etc. Of course with the ocean there, those areas of Japan get even more snow than we do here with only the Great Lakes to help out – it sounds like snowfall for the mountains in the Myoko area (population 40,000) is a bit over 500”, and down in the city of Sapporo I see that it’s around 250”, but that’s a big city (population ~1,900,000 and site of the 1972 Olympics). Based on the theme of this thread, and quotes like the one from Mark: “I like the fact that it has a small town life. Nothing liking walking the streets of a small town with 6 feet on the ground and 3/hour coming down....stroll into a cafe, warm up, walk some more!” I’m surprised I didn’t pass along the image below from Myoko, although I think I had the impression that the focus was Alaska at that point. Anyway, I had the Grant Gunderson shot below as my desktop for a couple of weeks in mid December as a little taste of home-style upslope snow scenery while we waited for things to get fired up for the season. We’ve had a couple of small/moderate events come through, but for the most part we’re still waiting to see if anything develops this season - now that I think of it I may just have to fire up the image on my desktop again: I put plenty of stock in Fozz’ comment from above as well though; weather is fickle and coordinating big trips to hit it can be tough. One can certainly nail stuff if they can fly last minute, but trying to plan too far ahead on good snow is a gamble as many skiers know. Considering the Northern Greens, the associated ski resorts, and the surrounding villages, most folks in this subforum are pretty lucky to be only a few hours away from what is certainly one of the great snow pockets in the lower 48. Obviously those leeward areas of the Great Lakes are another key location, although, it’s more distant from SNE and not quite the same scene. This season has clearly been lean on the usual multi-foot snowfall events, but a three-hour drive on the interstate is certainly something to consider on short notice when things line up – depending on how localized the event, travel wouldn’t even be hampered most of the way. The street signs and overall feel certainly won’t be quite as exotic as a trip to Japan, or even Alaska, but Powderfreak can attest to the fact that scenes like the one above aren’t all that uncommon around here most seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ski MRG Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Under 700 rt to anchorage. Pete...should I just drive to valdez or spend the extra 400 and fly there? It's a long drive but breathtaking. Flying is the way to go in AK. The things you'll see from the air will be beyond compare. Plus you get an adrenaline kick for the duration of the flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSUmetstud Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 That video that Ginx posted is jaw dropping...with the granite-like blocks of snow being shoved off of roofs and the snow in that woman's house. I hate to say it...but after that much...I'd probably be sick of it. 340" of what is wet snow? unreal. Valdez had over 16" of water and 152" of snow in December...only a little bit was rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORH_wxman Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I've seen a 25 foot snow pack at my Aunt's in the Sierra Nevada (more higher up on the mountain)...and experienced 67" in less than 30 hours there. Its pretty unbelievable but certainly doesn't have the same feel as when you get a blizzard back here in populated areas. Their life is geared toward snow and its very sparsely populated...so I have always thought the disruption of snow in a heavily populated area was more impressive to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I've seen a 25 foot snow pack at my Aunt's in the Sierra Nevada (more higher up on the mountain)...and experienced 67" in less than 30 hours there. Its pretty unbelievable but certainly doesn't have the same feel as when you get a blizzard back here in populated areas. Their life is geared toward snow and its very sparsely populated...so I have always thought the disruption of snow in a heavily populated area was more impressive to watch. >>>Ray<<< No one cares about the Sierra Nevadas ><>>Ray<<< Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 23, 2012 Author Share Posted February 23, 2012 Valdez snow depth up to 82 inches. Winter rocking on... http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=AK&prodtype=climate#CLIVWS Was up to 84 inches a few days ago. Can we make a run at 90? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetah440 Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I've seen a 25 foot snow pack at my Aunt's in the Sierra Nevada (more higher up on the mountain)...and experienced 67" in less than 30 hours there. Its pretty unbelievable but certainly doesn't have the same feel as when you get a blizzard back here in populated areas. Their life is geared toward snow and its very sparsely populated...so I have always thought the disruption of snow in a heavily populated area was more impressive to watch. "Chains sold here" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 25, 2012 Author Share Posted February 25, 2012 Just another Valdez weekend in winter.... http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=AKZ131 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorEaster27 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 just go to Stowe, heck of a lot closer and still epic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 just go to Stowe, heck of a lot closer and still epic. Lol.......not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 91 inch snow depth after today's 15.4 and counting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavisStraight Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 91 inch snow depth after today's 15.4 and counting. They had a blizzard warning earlier today and more snow to come this week, maybe top 100"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis1729 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 20.9" of snow fell in Valdez on 2/26/12, bringing the seasonal total to 398.7". Looks like 2011-12 could end up as their 2nd snowiest winter of all time. The record is ~550" in 1989-90...it will be difficult to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 20.9" of snow fell in Valdez on 2/26/12, bringing the seasonal total to 398.7". Looks like 2011-12 could end up as their 2nd snowiest winter of all time. The record is ~550" in 1989-90...it will be difficult to beat. Another crappy winter..Note to self..when Alaska is snowy..it doesn't snow in the East Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 Through today's report of an additional 4.8, they have a seasonal total now of 403.5 and a snow depth of 95 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis1729 Posted March 4, 2012 Share Posted March 4, 2012 RECORD EVENT REPORT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VALDEZ AK 244 PM AKST TUE FEB 28 2012 ...FEBRUARY SNOW DEPTH RECORD SHATTERED MONDAY MORNING... THE DEPTH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND ON MONDAY MORNING WAS A RECORD-BREAKING 97" IN VALDEZ NEW TOWN..UP FROM THE 88" OF SNOW ON THE GROUND THE PREVIOUS DAY DUE TO A SNOW STORM OVER THE WEEKEND THAT DROPPED OVER 26" ON VALDEZ..AND BROUGHT THE SEASONAL TOTAL OF SNOWFALL UP PAST 400"..TO 403.9"..THROUGH LATE MONDAY NIGHT. THE PREVIOUS SNOW DEPTH RECORD FOR FEBRUARY OCCURRED IN THE MULTI-RECORD SETTING SEASON OF 1989-1990. THE RECORD VALUE FOR FEBRUARY WAS 94"..WHICH WAS MEASURED ON BOTH THE 27TH AND THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY IN 1990. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted March 4, 2012 Author Share Posted March 4, 2012 A year ago, in a sub part winter with below normal snow, depth was still 26 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis1729 Posted March 5, 2012 Share Posted March 5, 2012 A year ago, in a sub part winter with below normal snow, depth was still 26 inches. Yep...it's remarkable. It's never a question of whether there will be a lot snow on the ground this time of year...it's just how deep will it be! Also, see this from Anchorage: PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ANCHORAGE AK 500 AM AKST SAT MAR 3 2012 ..THIS WINTER IS NOW THE 3RD SNOWIEST ON RECORD FOR ANCHORAGE AS OF 3 AM SATURDAY MORNING THE SEASONAL SNOWFALL IN ANCHORAGE REACHED 121.8 INCHES. THIS PASSES THE 121.5 INCHES OF THE 1994-1995 SEASON THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THIRD PLACE. THE 132.8 INCHES IN THE WINTER OF 1954-1955 IS THE MOST ON RECORD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weathafella Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Official snow depth of 100 inches. 423+ and counting for the season so far. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=AK&prodtype=climate#CLIVWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginx snewx Posted March 7, 2012 Share Posted March 7, 2012 Official snow depth of 100 inches. 423+ and counting for the season so far. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=AK&prodtype=climate#CLIVWS 35-1 ratio yesterday nice wonder what the w/e is on the pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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