Topic

Estimating snow depth after rain and temperatures above freezing


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums General Forums Winter Hiking Estimating snow depth after rain and temperatures above freezing

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1269560
    Andy F
    Spectator

    @andyf

    Locale: Midwest/Midatlantic

    Does anyone know of a website or general guidelines or other wilderness wisdom about how to guess what the snow depth will be after a period of warm temperatures and rain?

    In my specific case, there is 20 inches of snow, and there will be a day of rain with temperatures 40-50F for a day. I need to guess on the likelihood of needing snowshoes.

    #1700005
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    Andy, if you do not take the snowshoes, the chance that they will be needed will approach 100%.

    There are too many variables. Some of it depends on the ground temperature with the snow on top of it. Some of it depends on the temperature and texture of the snow.

    –B.G.–

    #1700035
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington
    #1700230
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    Generally speaking, rain doesn't melt much snow, but it does consolidate it. It is rather surprising. In the Northwest, we have lost of days where it rains on top of the snow (it seem like most of this winter has been like that) but not much melting. The thing is, the snow gets really hard. With that much snow, I wouldn't bring snowshoes, as you'll probably have dry spots. Even if you get snow, you won't sink in much. I would bring something like Yaktraks, which are much lighter and much easier to put on than snowshoes.

    #1700311
    Douglas Ray
    Member

    @dirtbagclimber

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    You don't say where you live, but here in Washington there are a bunch of back country weather stations called snotel sites that collect info on the snowpack and transmit it back to somewhere. I think pretty much anywhere with mountains will have a system like this. Try google-ing the word snotel and your state name. The website for Washington is.

    http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/washington_sitemap.html

    #1700381
    David Chenault
    BPL Member

    @davec

    Locale: Queen City, MT

    I've found NOAAs modeling program to be pretty darn accurate. Here's the short link: http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html

    Works even if you don't have Snotels in the relevant areas. Make sure to pay attention to all the data field options.

    #1700398
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    "I've found NOAAs modeling program to be pretty darn accurate."

    It's not perfect

    It gives snow for areas about 1/2 mile square. If I'm hiking on a ridge much smaller than this, it can correctly say there's an average of almost no snow over the 1/2 mile, but on the ridge there can be impassablay deep snow.

    Or it will say the snow has melted off somewhere, but actually it takes a couple more or less weeks before it actually melts off.

    But you can work with these limitations.

    #1701351
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    Andy, definitely take snowshows for the reason that rained-on snow freezes overnight to form a HARD crust. That crust will likely support you but be slippery as he!!. (Don't ask how I know.)

    Modern snowshoes usually have aggressive toothed cleats and these will halp to keep you from sliding. In my experience MSR Lightning 'shoes give you the most "gription".

    Also take ski/walking poles W/ snow baskets. And son't forget well-ventilated raingear like a Packa.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...