Here is the snowpack report from C1, for conditions as they were on 30 
January 2004, followed by Colorado statewide conditions, and relative 
snowpack conditions for the western US.

C1, and the South Platte basin, probably experienced more wind than snow 
this past month (certainly this past week!). However, the snowpack did 
increase at C1 to 60% (4.813 inches SWE) from 51% a month ago. This is 
the third lowest January snowpack in 22 years; 2002 and 1995 were lower.

The South Platte basin snowpack dropped, however, from 87% last month to 
63% today. Its cummulative winter precipitation remained fairly constant, 
though (65% last month and 67% today).

The NRCS Snotel network reports show that Colorado as a whole continues 
the pattern that has existed so far this winter; the southwest snowpack 
is normal or above, but the northern part of the state is below normal. 
The upper Rio Grande and Gunnison basins lead with 101% of average snowpack, 
and the South Platte basin has the least with 63%. The San Miguel, Animas, 
Dolores, SanJuan basins are doing well with 99%. Both this basin complex 
and the Upper Rio Grande have increased their snowpack since last month 
(5% and 10% respectively), whereas the S. Platte has lost snowpack. Unlike 
in recent past years, the proportion of winter precipitation that is 
sequestered in the snowpack is greater than average, in general.

This means that what precipitaion we are recieving is tending to build up 
the snowpack for gradual release (barring a hot spell of severe rain-on-snow 
events) in the spring and through the summer.

The western US snowpack continues to show the same pattern since the 
beginning of this winter; average to above in the north and Pacific Northwest, 
and below average in the southwest. However, snowpacks in southern NM and 
Arizona have increased about 25% to around 50% of average this month. The 
Oregon Cascade region appears have the highest snowpack with values in the 
120 to 135% range. Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, and Nevada are 
generally all near or above average as well. Utah snowpack is also quite 
healthy with the exception of the southern portion, and Wyoming is variable 
with basin reports of 71 to 101%.

How does this relate to the ENSO condition? The most recent NOAA report 
(Jan 8, 2004) states the Nino 3.4 region is near neutral, and it is forecasted 
to stay about that way through March, at which time the forecasts are uncertain. 
So, it does not appear that El Nino or La Nina conditions will drive this 
winters weather. We will just see what comes this next month. At present, 
there is indication that the next week or more, will see a return of cold, 
less wind, and more snow, at least for the C1/Front Range area.

Until next month, Cheers! Mark

This is a quick update of the snowpack conditions at C1, because there 
was significant snowfall on January 31, 2004, the day after my recent 
report. According to NCRS Snotel data, the Jan 31 snowfall increased the 
C1 snowpack by 7%, to end the month at 64%, and the South Platte snowpack 
increased 2% for a month end value of 65%. This same storm also hit southwest 
Colorado, increasing the snowpack of the Upper Rio Grande by 3%, placing this 
basin clearly in the states top spot with 104% of average. The San Miguel, 
Animas, Dolores, San Juan group also increased 3% to finish the month with 
102%.

More snow is on the way!

Cheers! Mark

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

     Season     Dec      Jan      Feb      Mar      Apr     May            Jun 
      81/82    4.75     10.5     11.75    15.5     14.9    12.0   (17th)
      82/83    3.63              4.75     12.75     17     11.75  (30th)
      83/84    12.6     13.25     15      18.9     20.75   
      84/85    3.75     6.25      8.5     10.25    8.75
      85/86     6.5      7.5      14      15.38    17.5
      86/87    6.25     8.75     11.25    12.75    11.75
      87/88     6.5      9.1     12.4     15.75    14.5
      88/89     5.5      7.6      11      10.25     5.6
      89/90     6.5     9.25     10.75    16.1     16.5
      90/91      3        5       7.1     9.38      10
      91/92    6.65     6.75      8.5     12.25    10.25
      92/93    5.75     6.75     10.75     14      15.875
      93/94    7.125    9.063    12.25    13.25    13.25     2.5  (18th)
      94/95    2.625    3.925     7.0     10.125   16.75    17.0  (22nd) 12.375(13th) 19.75(30th)
      95/96    7.50     12.00    17.5     20.375   18.75     6.125 (15th)
      96/97    8.75     12.625   15.125   14.625   20.375   18.0   (15th)
      97/98    7.0625   10.0     10.125   12.875   17.25    12.875 (15th)
      98/99    3.25     6.625     8.375    9.125   14.125   14.25  (15th)
      99/2000  3.5      7.5      10.625   12.375    7.625   
      00/2001  4.375    5.375     7.125   10.00     9.125
      01/2002  2.625    4.25      6.19     7.563    0.0
      02/2003  4.00     5.25      8.5     16.75    14.375   11.44 (15th)
      03/2004  2.75     4.813 

     Average   5.432    7.824    10.389   13.197    13.409