We’ve had one of the wettest Octobers on record, so far, with 200-300% of normal precipitation. If all of that would have been snowfall in the mountains, we’d be open with many feet of snow. But early season we typically have higher snow levels and that has been the case. But the SL has been in the early season normal range (5,000 -7,000ft), with upper slope accumulation. Also, early season can vary widely and favor higher snow levels - as the ocean cools more slowly than the land, and incoming storms must transit the warmer fall ocean temps.

By the way forget damn Blob – it’s fading again after a minor recent comeback. As I have said many times, there was never any evidence it affects atmosphericic circulation the last couple of years, people just made that up. Claims the Blob (ocean warm temp anomaly) affects the position, configuration and duration of blocking highs and the jet stream, have never shown any evidence, nor suggested any mechanism – pure speculation.  El Nino ocean warmth - different story.

With heavy precipitation the last few weeks, some of it fell as snow on the higher slopes. We are seeing healthy signs of any early opening. Whistler has over 3ft of snow in areas of the upper slopes. Many NW ski areas show a few inches to more than a foot on the upper slopes. The next week will see more of the same: some dry days/ rain  in the lowlands and lower slopes, with snow above 5,000ft. Extended forecast in November shows more of the same, with typically, gradually lowering snow levels, but much variation.

I am becoming  more confident we are in for an early opening (before Thanksgiving) of the ski season. Whistler (upper mountain) is tracking that way.

Whistler Roundhouse, below, on Saturday:

 

Larry

 

Larry Schick

Open Snow NW