Snowpack update

02/25/25 8:30pm: Since we are in-between storm cycles thought it would be a good time for a quick snowpack update now that we are about 2/3rds of the way through the snow season. The statewide snowpack is currently at 92% of normal (median), up from 89% at the end of Jan and only 43 days from median peak (which is around April 10th).

But as you can see its the tale of the two halves of the state with northern and north-central CO well above average and southern / southwest CO well below average. As I mentioned before, La Nina combined with the negative PDO is not good for southern CO (maybe that will change as the La Nina is expected to weaken towards spring). Second image shows the statewide timeseries compared to average and the previous 7 years (looking pretty average overall lol).

First image shows percent of normal snowpack for all the major river basins in CO. Amazing to see our local mountains / Front Range mountains (South Platte Basin) leading the charge with 108% of normal (bolster by this last big storm). Also good to see the Colorado Headwaters (Summit/Eagle, etc) at 101% of average (even higher near Copper, Vail and Winter Park). Here is a break down of the percentages by basin:

• South Platte (Front Range mountains, IPW, RMNP, etc): 108% (up from 106%)

• Laramie and North Platte (east-side Zirkel, west-side Cameron): 103% (up from 94%)

• Colorado Headwaters (Grand, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin co. ski areas): 101% (up from 97%)

• Yampa-White-Little Snake (Steamboat / Flat Tops): 100% (up from 92%)

• Gunnison (south Elks, West Elks, CB area): 88% (even from 88%)

• Arkansas (Collegiates, Sangres, Pikes Peak): 80% (down from 90%)

• San Miguel-Dolores-Animas-San Juan (Western San Juans, Telluride, Silverton, Purg): 69% (up from 68%)

• Upper Rio Grande (Easter San Juans, Wolf Creek): 68% (down from 70%)

I have also included the west-wide current snowpack map (image 2) and you can basically see where the jet-stream has been this winter: northern CA, through central OR to ID, northwest WY and parts of MT as well... And of course over parts of northern UT and CO as well.

Last image shows the timeseries comparison for the South Platte basin comparing this season (black line) to the previous 7 years....as of now second highest behind 2019-2020, but close to the 2022-2023 season snowpack.

That's all for now. What are your thoughts on the snowpack?