I thought this plot was very interesting. It shows the statewide average snowpack over the course of the last year (black line), compared to the average (red line) as well as the past few years. You can see that the peak snowpack was around average in 2005 (blue line), significantly below normal in 2007 (green line), and this year we're already significantly above the average peak snowpack level, despite having the rest of snowy March left to go.
This is very good news for our water reservoirs!
Posting a plot on a personal blog may be the coolest thing ever. I love you, Amy! - Christine
ReplyDeletewhy does peak snowpack occur in may? maybe i dont know how to read this graph ... gradschool has failed me :)
ReplyDeleteis this the total snow accumulation, but not subtracting what melts? if so I get why it peaks in may. "snow pack" to me means ... how much snow is currently on the ground. but i think maybe i am wrong :)
ReplyDeleteWell, it's mountain snowpack, so things don't start melting until mid-April or so, which is when the peak occurs. But I think you're right as far as snowpack being snow on the ground. Thus this plot would look a lot different for the front range.
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