New Study Suggests Early December Snow Predicts Entire Season's Snowfall with Remarkable Accuracy
A team of researchers from the University of Washington (UW) has uncovered an interesting link in certain western states: the amount of snow accumulated by the end of December can reliably predict the total snowfall for the entire season.
It should be noted this model works well for northern states like Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, as well as some parts of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. However, it's less reliable for states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona due to their unpredictable weather patterns or significant post-December precipitation. The researchers gathered data from an extensive network of snow sensors across the western U.S., including Alaska.
Median modeled peak annual snow water equivalent
They analyzed data from 2001 to 2022 for 873 sites, comparing snow accumulation by the end of December (referred to as "fall snow") with the total winter-spring snow accumulation (referred to as "peak season snow"). Several factors contribute to the correlation between early and peak snowfall. For example, in regions like Alaska, most of the snow falls before January, so early snow is almost the same as peak season snow.
In other areas like Interior Alaska, northeast Utah, and southwestern Wyoming, meteorological trends suggest that an above-average early snowfall consistently predicts an above-average late-season snowfall.
While we're not experts in the field of science, you can explore the complete study by clicking on this link. Our main wish is for a snowy autumn!
We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging snow-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality snowboarding videos.
Don't miss another headline from SNOWBOARDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of snowboarding.