NOAA: “No Major Storms for California The Rest of February”

WeatherBrains | | Post Tag for WeatherWeather
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today

Well, February was a total bust in California. ย California ski resorts only saw roughly 30″ of snowfall in the entire month of February… ย That sucks.

NOAA is saying there will be no more major storms in the month of February in California. ย We’ve got our fingers crossed for March.

Blocking high pressure is back in control of California – much like the past 4 years…

“A ridge of high pressure centered off the coast of Baja will build northward into California during the next few days. This ridge will also deflect Pacific storms northward and bring dry and unseasonably warm weather to the Golden State this week.” – NOAA Hanford, CA today

Sierra Snow Water Equivalent to date

Here's a look at variation of Snow-Water Equivalent, or "how much moisture is actually in the snowpack", from the beginning of the season until now. This animation and other Snow Analyses are available here: http://owl.li/YCGV2.

Posted by US National Weather Service Reno Nevada on Monday, February 22, 2016

(video = timelapse of California snow depth from October 2015 until today)

California saw only one storm in February and it was formidable. ย That storm last week dropped up to 30″ of mostly wet, nasty snow that set up hard after it blew through. ย But that’s it. ย That’s all we’re gonna get this month in CA.

“A ridge of high pressure will bring mainly dry conditions and above average temperatures to the eastern Sierra and western Nevada for the upcoming week. Most sites will see a notable jump in temperatures between Tuesday and Wednesday when valley inversions become weaker, with the warmest temperatures expected Wednesday through Friday. There is a slight possibility for light showers by next weekend, but no major storms are expected through the remainder of February.” – NOAA Reno, NV today

In the first half of February, California saw record high soaring into the high 70s in Central Valley locations. ย This week is looking the same with manyย CA locations seeing 70+ degrees and even Tahoe getting into the 60s.

image: noaa, today
CA snowpack = good up high, bad down low. ย image: noaa, feb 20

The Good News for California Is:

  • Sierra snowpack is looking good at around 93% of average
  • 7 California ski resorts have gotten over 300″ of snowfall this season (Sugar Bowl = 380″)
  • Winter is not over – March and April could be huge.
  • Next year will likely be a strong La Nina and in the last Strong La Nina (2010/11) Tahoe saw 857″ of snowfall…

"A disappointing February in terms of precipitation looks to come to a mainly warm and dry end. Here is the latest GFS model projection for precipitation through the end of the month. Only light precipitation expected north of Interstate 80. Here is hoping the month of March brings a change toward wetter conditions across CA and NV." - NOAA, today
“A disappointing February in terms of precipitation looks to come to a mainly warm and dry end. Here is the latest GFS model projection for precipitation through the end of the month. Only light precipitation expected north of Interstate 80. Here is hoping the month of March brings a change toward wetter conditions across CA and NV.” – NOAA, today

image: nws, feb
image: nws, feb 18

California snowpack from space today. image: nasa
California snowpack from space today. image: nasa

image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
image: noaa, today
Posted by WeatherBrains |

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