Highway closure among latest on record Heavy snow forecast for higher elevations this week prompted the closure of North Cascades Highway at 6 a.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 11), but local ski areas are still waiting for enough snow to kick off their seasons. As of Tuesday (Dec. 10), Methow Trails reported no open cross-country ski […]
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Methow Valley likely facing summer water shortage
Below-average snowpack behind ‘troubling’ forecast Water supply shortages are anticipated this summer in the Methow and Okanogan river basins, based on current snowpack measurements, soil conditions and weather predictions. Water supply forecasts for the Upper Columbia basin, which includes the Methow River watershed, “range from troubling to dire,” said Jeff Marti, water resources planner for […]
Heavy snowmelt drives Okanogan County’s rivers to flood levels
Warmer-than-normal temperatures since the beginning of May are driving rapid melting of a still-abundant mountain snowpack, flooding roads, homes and fields and carving out chunks of riverbank throughout Okanogan County.
Many rivers and lakes are above flood stage, with the most-serious flooding in Oroville …
Snowpack readings remain well above-normal as summer approaches
Snowpack around the state remained higher than normal at the beginning of May, because peak snow accumulation and resulting snowmelt runoff occurred almost three weeks later than normal.
Above-normal rainfall also added moisture to the snowpack, which helped increase water density …
Cool spring weather forecast supports outlook for above-average snowpack
Weather forecasts calling for a continued cool spring, combined with above-average snowpack in the mountains, means that most of Washington state can look forward to a favorable water supply this summer, according to a state water…
Highway 20 snow-clearance work will start in valley on April 9
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews began clearing the North Cascades Scenic Highway of snow from the west side this week, and will start working from the east side — in the Methow Valley — on April 9. The dates were selected after WSDOT staff assessed conditions on the snowed-in road last week, the […]
Methow-area snowpack holds steady as winter recedes
Although winter is more than half over and snow is receding in the Methow Valley, snowpack is holding up well in mountains surrounding the valley and throughout Washington, unlike areas further south in the Pacific Northwest.
Early winter snowpack is promising for the Methow River basin
The new year began with a typical La Niña weather pattern, producing warm, wet conditions across Washington state, but comparatively cooler temperatures in the Methow Valley helped contribute to a healthy early winter snowpack.
The jet stream is stationed this …
Taking the measure of snowpacks
Have you ever wanted to be a scientist conducting research in the field? If so, NASA, the nation’s space agency, wants you.
Skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers — anyone who likes playing outdoors on snow — can become scientists for NASA under …
Expect a cold, wet winter in the Northwest, thanks to La Niña
t’s probably not overly optimistic to get those skis waxed, if they aren’t already. The Methow Valley can expect to see colder and wetter than normal weather during the coming winter, which starts officially in three weeks.
That is thanks to La Niña conditions in the …
