A “good” El Nno” winter in the far west??

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Weather forecasters say this winter will be a "Super El Nino" winter with lots of rain/snow in the far west. That means more flooding, landslides and avalanches. Like the Chinese curse says, "May you live in interesting times." This winter should be "interesting". BTW, I live in the Las Vegas valley. What SoCal gets we get the next day. It's going to be snowy in out mountains, "supposably", (as Joey on "Friends" sez). Our mountains to the NW of the valley top out at 11,998 ft. at Mt.Charleston with much terrain above 8,000 ft. Those mountains make their own weather if even a small amount of moisture comes in.

[Ian]

I suspect we'll see a lot of precipitation. Whether that precipitation will be in the form of rain or snow remains to be seen. I remain cautiously optimistic but emotionally prepared for disappointment.

[Paul Magnanti]

We don't know what will happen. I think the weather patterns are too skewed at this point. I suggest consulting this oracle instead…

[Ian]

Paul, That's as good of a method as any. I've long since given up any effort in determining what a typical Washington winter is like. I've been down this road too many times where the season starts off great, warms up, and we lose all the snow. I've also seen the opposite where we received a good skiable base and decent conditions following a lackluster start. Last winter and summer were particularly horrible here in Washington so I think many of us are weeping tears of joy to see snow sticking to the ground in Stevens and White Pass already. It's November and I have (ancient) memories of skiing on Thanksgiving so this certainly isn't unprecidented but we're cheering it on. Hopefully there won't be another massive melt-off like there was last year.

[Jerry Adams]

bit of snow on Mt Hood, but it will melt off before snowpack starts? supposedly, more rain in California, less in Northwest. Don't expect relief Ian : ) August Scientific American – drought based on reservoir and ground water since 1895 – much worse drought now – droughts often have a years with abnormally high precipitation so even if this winter has a lot of precip, don't go back to your water wasting ways : )

[Ken Thompson]

Has snowed a couple of time in Ca so far.

[jscott]

A "classic" El Nino pattern brings more rain/snow to California and less precipitation to the PNW. Forecasters are predicting the most rain in the southern parts of California, although more than normal is predicted all the way to the northern part of the state and into Oregon. For what it's worth. Their forecast, not mine. But all of the indicators are trending very, very strongly towards a big El Nino year. People probably knew all of this.

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