From yesterday's NWAC Mountain Weather Forecast by Mark Moore (
www.nwac.us/archive/sabnw_2011-01-24-1330.html
):
La Niña Lament
La Niña, La Niña, where did you go?
Leaving us rain instead of more snow.
Either shift the ridge east or move it west—
In either direction we’ll get snow to test.
While we have had cool and we have had wet--
We haven’t had both together quite yet.
Though longer range models may not give glee--
That the ridge stays and strengthens they all do agree.
So what does that leave except a snow pack quite grim--
With a smooth, firm crust that covers its rim.
Time to use caution and more on steeper terrain--
For a fall on this surface may trigger some pain.
Sharpen those edges and choose routes wisely--
Or you’ll slide to the bottom & not too nicely.
The two latest posts on the Cliff Mass Weather Blog also deal with the current situation:
cliffmass.blogspot.com/2011/01/ridgmageddon.html
cliffmass.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-is-la-nina.html
Personally, I'm remaining confident that things will almost certainly shift to a much colder and wetter pattern during February and March (and probably April too), based on historical climatological precedent.
And by the way, the current avalanche hazard looks optimal for skiing something
big.
http://www.nwac.us/dangerrose/preview/770/
