This (final) report of the season is prompted by the May 2-5 snowstorm.
The snowpack at C1 reached its maximum with this event, due at least in
part to the fact that this is normally the melt period, so any increases
tend to be statistically exagerated.  Even so, this event was not small.
C1 recieved 2.97 inches of water in over 20 inches of wet snow.
This brought the snowpack from 60% to 86% of average, and the total winter
precipitation from 90 to 98% of average, according to the NRCS SnoTel network.
[An interesting example of how sensitive the statistics are at this time of year
is the fact that in the day following the storm, with no precipitation, the
snowpack continued to increase to 88%.  This is just because it did not melt
much, compared to normal conditions!]

So, the season high at C1, was 86% (or 88%), and the total winter precipitation
was 98%, on May 7, 2001.

Warm weather since then is rapidly melting the snow.  Presently (May 15) the
snowpack is 46%.

Statewide, the Upper Rio Grande reached 127% on May 8, and the Laramie/N. Platte
was 76% then.  Today they are 99% and 55% respectively, but the Yampa/White
basin is the lowest in the state with 52%.  These snowpack figures are much
lower than the total winter precipitation, which suggests that it has been a warm
winter overall.

If you are still looking for skiing, Hoosier Pass reports 132% and Loveland
has 142%.

Until Next Season,

Mark Losleben

Sno Tel Data  Niwot Ridge, C-1
Snow Water Content (inches)
Values are for the end of given month
except as noted for May and June