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Cascade Snowfall and Snowdepth 2003-2004


2003-2004 Snow Season Summary

See the main Cascade Snowfall and Snowdepth page for historical snowpack info.
Detailed Snow Season Reports: 2005-2006, 2004-2005, 2003-2004, 2002-2003; see also Previous Seasons, Normals & Info, and Cascades El Niño / La Niña
NEW: Historical NWAC Snowdepth Data & Plots and Paradise & Crater Lake Snowfall/Snowdepth Plots

    The 2003-2004 snow year got off to a fine start throughout most of the Cascade Range, except for the northern end which was often lagging behind. Numerous major storm cycles and generally cold temperatures during December, January, and February built a deep snowpack, well above-normal especially in Oregon and California. By March 1, the current snow season looked like the best one overall throughout the entire Cascade Range since the incredible 1998-99 season, which set snowfall and snowdepth records from British Columbia to central Oregon with well above average amounts farther to the south into California. However, an abnormally warm and dry month of March, especially towards the southern end, reduced snowdepths back close to normal throughout the range. The rapid meltdown continued during the first half of April, while the second half brought only minor relief in the the form of cooler temperatures and some snowfall. The generally cooler and wetter than normal pattern continued throughout most of May, with occasional stretches of sunny high pressure. Higher elevations from Mount Hood north to BC received heavy snowfall during the last week of the month, but most measuring stations were too low to record significant snowfall. As of June 1, snowdepths appear to be sufficient to ensure a fine late spring and early summer of ski mountaineering on the volcanoes from Mount Rainier all the way south to Lassen Peak. The length of the summer ski season may be shorter than normal at the northern end of the range, though, where snowdepths remain well below normal. In southwestern BC, snowdepths are near record lows, below even the severe drought year of 2000-2001: the 29" depth at Tenquille Lake is the lowest for June 1 over the entire period of record since 1953, while the 60" at Orchid Lake (historically the highest-snowdepth site in Canada) is the lowest since 1993 and the 37" depth at Whistler is the lowest in at least 8 years.
    The graph and table below summarize snowdepths at 10 important sites throughout the entire Cascade Range during the 2003-2004 season. These high-snowdepth sites are all located about 1000 ft below timberline and are representative of conditions in the subalpine regions on favored slopes (not rain-shadowed areas). Mount Shasta Ski Bowl was the early season snowdepth leader, then Mount Baker Ski Area pulled ahead in December. Mount Hood Timberline Lodge took over the lead during the new year, holding on to it until the end of February when a pair of huge storm systems vaulted Lassen Peak Lake Helen into the top spot, which it has held throughout most of March, April, and May. The late-May snowfall has boosted Timberline Lodge solidly back into the lead as of June 1. The maximum snowdepth recorded at any North American measurement site this year was an impressive 222" at Lassen Peak Lake Helen on February 28, 2004, making it the second year in a row that Lassen has gained that honor (a surprising 245" was recorded there on May 1, 2003, after near-record snowfall of 17 ft in April 2003). Three measurement sites cracked the 200" mark this season (Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta Old Ski Bowl, and Mount Hood Timberline Lodge), while Mount Rainier Paradise fell just short with a seasonal maximum of 192".
    Place your mouse over the links below to compare the same plot for the previous season and with normal values for the period of record (this only works if you have a JavaScript-enabled browser). The snowdepths peaked much earlier than the typical April 1 this year due to an abnormally warm and dry March, while last year they peaked as late as May 1 at many locations following unusually large April snowfalls. An archive of the semimonthly snowdepth stats and commentaries during the current season can be found below the graph.

Mouse-over links to change season graph, click to load season report: 2002-2003 | 2003-2004 | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | Normals



---- BRITISH COLUMBIA ---- ---------- WASHINGTON ---------- -------------- OREGON -------------- ------ CALIFORNIA ------


Mt Cayley
Squamish R.
4400 ft

Whistler Mtn
Ski Area
5400 ft

Mt Baker
Ski Area
4200 ft

Mt Rainier
Paradise
5400 ft

Mt St Helens
Swift Creek
3800 ft

Mt Hood
Timberline
6000 ft

Mt Bachelor
Ski Area
6300 ft

Crater Lake
Park HQ
6400 ft

Mt Shasta
Old Ski Bowl
7600 ft

Lassen Peak
Lake Helen
8200 ft
01 Nov 2003
0"

0"

0"

0"

0"

4"

0"

1"

2"

0"
15 Nov 2003 10"16"20"9"2" 9"12"17"45"33"
01 Dec 2003 48"39"72"59"36" 50"36"34"50"39"
15 Dec 2003 72"57"106"103"69" 89"80"72"84"82"
01 Jan 2004 102"68"129"115"106" 136"114"97"133"126"
15 Jan 2004 94"63"112"111"96" 139"106"106"126"124"
01 Feb 2004 115"85"145"170"112" 176"133"119"123"139"
15 Feb 2004 113"82"140"166"128" 180"130"119"126"140"
01 Mar 2004 120"85"152"176"155" 195"145"156"198"222"
15 Mar 2004 122"85"150"176"142" 195"141"129"160"195"
01 Apr 2004 129"94"159"169"147" 182"129"121"146"187"
15 Apr 2004 111"80"138"147"139" 163"111"112"134"170"
01 May 2004 95"75"128"135"125" 154"94"102"124"175"
15 May 2004 76"62"101"118"103" 132"70"83"102"144"
01 Jun 2004 46"37"64"95"74" 121"47"57"79"116"
15 Jun 2004 18"23"60"41" 98"27"44"80"
01 Jul 2004 0"0"8"0" 39"0"0"20"
 
Seasonal Max 145"100"176"192"164" 204"159"159"201"222"
Date of Max 27 Mar
2004
27 Mar
2004
27 Mar
2004
07 Mar
2004
27 Mar
2004
06 Mar
2004
06 Mar
2004
05 Mar
2004
26 Feb
2004
28 Feb
2004


Semimonthly Snowfall and Snowdepth Reports for the 2003-2004 Season


    The tables below show semimonthly snowfall and snowdepth info at 42 measurement sites along the entire length of the Cascade Range, primarily on or near the Cascade volcanoes. The frequency of data collection varies at these sites, from hourly automated telemetry to manual daily or monthly measurements. Note that multiple sites or data sources are found at several of these locations, and their data values typically differ slightly from each other. The codes used below for Data Frequency read as follows: H = Hourly Snowdepth Telemetry, H* = Hourly Snow-Water Telemetry (snowdepth estimated), D = Daily Manual Snowdepth, M = Monthly Manual Snowdepth (Jan 1 - June 1 or less), A = April 1 Manual Snowdepth Only. See Information about Cascade Snowdepth Measurement Sites for more details about these sites including normal snowdepths throughout the season.
    The following measurement sites have been added to this list or upgraded for the 2003-2004 season. The NRCS continues its program of adding snowdepth gauges to existing SNOTEL sites, and Lassen Volcanic National Park added a snowdepth telemetry site to the Lake Helen snow course, historically since 1930 the highest-snowdepth site in California (see press release).

State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency

Information and Notes
WA Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS HExisting SNOTEL site with snowdepth, added to list
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC HExisting NWAC telemetry site, added to list
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC HNew NWAC telemetry site for 2003-4, added to list
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site, added to list
OR McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site, added to list
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS HExisting SNOTEL site with snowdepth, added to list
CA Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, MSnowdepth gauge installed near existing manual snow course


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 December 2003)

    The 2003-2004 snow year is off to a fine start in the northern part of Cascade Range, following the torrential rains and destructive flooding of October and early November. Cold air has since dominated the region, and major storms in the second half of November have brought several feet of new snow to the northern mountains. Snowdepths are now generally above average from northern Oregon into British Columbia. The Cascades of southern Oregon and northern California had largely missed out on the bounty, until the last weekend of the month when a major storm system dumped up to 18 inches of snow, finally boosting snowdepths to well above normal values in northern California. However, many sites in Oregon remain below average, especially low elevation and southern sites.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Dec 2003 28"
70%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H02 Dec 2003 48"90%—  
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Dec 2003 39"93%70" 45", 29 Nov 2003
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 72"150%164" 80", 28 Nov 2003
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 35"230%—   38", 29 Nov 2003
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 64"—  —   67", 29 Nov 2003
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 37"230%—   40", 29 Nov 2003
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 52"160%—   62", 28 Nov 2003
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 49"140%—   59", 28 Nov 2003
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 41"132%—   55", 26 Nov 2003
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 30"120%75" 39", 28 Nov 2003
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 29"121%—   38", 26 Nov 2003
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H01 Dec 2003 61"—  —   69", 28 Nov 2003
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H01 Dec 2003 34"—  —   42", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 59"123%131" 68", 29 Nov 2003
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 17"85%—   22", 26 Nov 2003
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 42"95%—   50", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 36"—  —   51", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 25"125%—   43", 26 Nov 2003
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 50"111%—   63", 27 Nov 2003
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 31"90%—   50", 27 Nov 2003
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D02 Dec 2003 21"140%60" 46", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Dec 2003 36"88%—   51", 26 Nov 2003
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 19"75%—   34", 26 Nov 2003
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 28"105%—   46", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Dec 2003 36"115%—  
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 19"110%—   35", 26 Nov 2003
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Dec 2003 34"106%73"
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 18"67%—   26", 26 Nov 2003
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 17"100%—   24", 26 Nov 2003
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Dec 2003 13"110%—   24", 26 Nov 2003
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Dec 2003 20"120%—  
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Dec 2003 50"140%—   50", 01 Dec 2003
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Dec 2003 40"190%—   40", 01 Dec 2003
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Dec 2003 0"0%17" 6", 16 Nov 2003
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M01 Dec 2003 39"95%—   39", 01 Dec 2003
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D01 Dec 2003 38"170%74" 38", 01 Dec 2003


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 December 2003)

    The good times continued in December, as a generally cold and wet cycle brought frequent storms and heavy snowfall, with only occasional rain reaching the higher elevations. This was capped by the major storm cycle over the weekend of the December 12-14, which brought heavy snowfall to a surprisingly broad range of latitudes all the way from southern BC to the central Sierra of California. Snowfall amounts during the weekend ranged from 3-4 ft for much of the Washington and Oregon Cascades, with 2-3 ft in northern California. Southwestern BC was the poor stepsister for once, receiving only about 1 ft while the rest of the range got buried. As of December 15, snowdepths are mostly well above average throughout the Cascade Range, even at low elevation sites which have often had early season difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 120-200% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way north to Mount Baker, but then drop below normal heading north into BC.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Dec 2003 44"
80%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Dec 2003 72"90%—  
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D15 Dec 2003 57"100%124" 57", 15 Dec 2003
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 106"156%241" 110", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 53"180%—   53", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 78"—  —   78", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 52"150%—   52", 15 Dec 2003
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 73"145%—   73", 15 Dec 2003
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 75"145%—   75", 15 Dec 2003
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 72"164%126" 72", 15 Dec 2003
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 68"189%152" 70", 14 Dec 2003
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 51"146%—   51", 15 Dec 2003
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H14 Dec 2003 104"—  —   104", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H15 Dec 2003 65"—  —   67", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 103"151%213" 103", 15 Dec 2003
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 47"157%—   47", 15 Dec 2003
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 77"115%—   77", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 69"—  —   69", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 50"135%—   50", 15 Dec 2003
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 89"137%—   89", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 63"120%—   63", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Dec 2003 36"165%86" 46", 26 Nov 2003
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Dec 2003 61"107%—   61", 15 Dec 2003
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 45"120%—   47", 14 Dec 2003
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 56"145%—   56", 15 Dec 2003
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Dec 2003 80"170%—   80", 15 Dec 2003
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 45"150%—   46", 14 Dec 2003
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Dec 2003 72"150%138" 72", 15 Dec 2003
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 51"125%—   52", 14 Dec 2003
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 46"160%—   47", 14 Dec 2003
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Dec 2003 48"220%—   49", 14 Dec 2003
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Dec 2003 43"170%—   45", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Dec 2003 84"160%—   88", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Dec 2003 59"150%—   61", 14 Dec 2003
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Dec 2003 18"180%46" 18", 15 Dec 2003
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Dec 2003 82"135%—   85", 14 Dec 2003
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D15 Dec 2003 68"170%131" 74", 14 Dec 2003


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 January 2004)

    The excellent cold and wet weather pattern continued in the latter half of December, beginning with a system that hit northern WA and southwestern BC with 2-3 ft of snow on Dec 16-17. Santa brought the next major dump with him on Dec 24-25, depositing 2-4 ft of snowfall over the entire length of the Cascade range, followed by yet another system on Dec 28-29 which again left 2-4 ft from California to northern Washington, with lesser amounts in BC. Finally, 2003 was capped off and the New Year was ushered in by (guess what) another major system, dropping 2-3 more feet of snow from California to southern Washington. These last systems featured very low snow levels, right down to sea level at times in Washington and Oregon and shockingly dropping nearly a foot of snow in Redding, CA, well below 1000 ft elevation. As of January 1, snowdepths remain well above average throughout most of the Cascade Range, even at low elevation sites which have often had early season difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 120-200% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way north to southernmost BC, but then drop closer to normal heading farther north into BC. In the region near the Oregon-California border, from Mount Shasta to Mount McLoughlin, snowdepths exceed 200% of normal for this date and are in fact greater than the normal April 1 annual maxima at these sites.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M28 Dec 2003 67"
100%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Jan 2004 102"105%—   109", 28 Dec 2003
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Jan 2004 68"108%189" 74", 26 Dec 2003
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M29 Dec 2003 109"135%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M31 Dec 2003 89"169%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 129"141%326" 134", 28 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 70"175%—   77", 29 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 101"—  —   105", 28 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 69"150%—   72", 29 Dec 2003
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 66"100%—   76", 17 Dec 2003
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 85"123%—   86", 28 Dec 2003
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 68"110%181" 74", 28 Dec 2003
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 66"127%197" 70", 31 Dec 2003
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 59"148%—   61", 28 Dec 2003
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —   120", 29 Dec 2003
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —   81", 28 Dec 2003
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 115"126%305" 115", 01 Jan 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 52"149%—   52", 01 Jan 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 92"105%—   95", 29 Dec 2003
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 106"—  —   106", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 72"145%—   72", 01 Jan 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 136"179%—   136", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 102"144%—   105", 29 Dec 2003
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Jan 2004 59"190%129" 61", 31 Dec 2003
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jan 2004 91"126%—   97", 29 Dec 2003
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 81"162%—   81", 01 Jan 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 98"188%—   98", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Jan 2004 114"180%—   114", 01 Jan 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 74"172%—   74", 01 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Jan 2004 97"150%202" 97", 01 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 76"140%—   76", 01 Jan 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 73"175%—   73", 01 Jan 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Jan 2004 68"220%—   68", 01 Jan 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Jan 2004 82"250%—   82", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Jan 2004 133"190%185" 133", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Jan 2004 101"180%—   101", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Jan 2004 36"240%83" 36", 01 Jan 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M01 Jan 2004 126"154%—   126", 01 Jan 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D01 Jan 2004 118"200%223" 118", 01 Jan 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 January 2004)

    The New Year was ushered in by more heavy snowfall and the coldest temperatures in nearly a decade, with lows dropping below 0 °F at the Washington Cascade passes and even below -20 °F in the high country of southwestern BC during the first weekend of 2004. The heaviest snowfalls over the first week of 2004 were concentrated in the region from Mount Rainier south to Crater Lake, where many sites received 4-7 ft of snowfall, with lesser amounts to the north and south. Heavy snowfall of a foot or more fell even in the lowlands of WA and OR, while Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood reinforced its position as this season's snowdepth leader, reaching nearly 14 ft of base by January 7. But then the weather pattern shifted completely the following week, with warming temperatures and rising freezing levels. As expected, this brought substantial settlement and a significant decrease in snowdepths, capped on January 14 by the first major rains to reach higher elevations up to 6000-7000 ft in over a month. Despite the recent decrease, snowdepths remain above average throughout most of the Cascade Range as of January 15, even at low elevation sites which have often had early season difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 110-160% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way north to the central WA Cascades, but then drop to normal or below heading into northern WA and BC. In the region near the Oregon-California border, from Mount Shasta to Mount McLoughlin, snowdepths exceed 150% of normal for this date and are close to or greater than the normal April 1 annual maxima at these sites.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Jan 2004 65"
83%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Jan 2004 94"92%—   117", 09 Jan 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —  —  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D15 Jan 2004 63"88%220" 74", 26 Dec 2003
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M29 Dec 2003 109"135%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M31 Dec 2003 89"169%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 112"104%370" 142", 08 Jan 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 59"130%—   77", 29 Dec 2003
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 87"—  —   110", 03 Jan 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 54"100%—   76", 04 Jan 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 66"85%—   76", 17 Dec 2003
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 79"90%—   90", 08 Jan 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 65"89%222" 78", 07 Jan 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 70"108%247" 87", 08 Jan 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 54"112%—   66", 08 Jan 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 111"99%378" 145", 07 Jan 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 54"123%—   66", 07 Jan 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 87"80%—   105", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 96"—  —   124", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 67"120%—   94", 07 Jan 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 139"138%—   164", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 100"115%—   122", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Jan 2004 45"115%160" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2004 100"115%—   120", 07 Jan 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 68"110%—   88", 04 Jan 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 78"125%—   107", 04 Jan 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Jan 2004 106"140%—   124", 08 Jan 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 64"125%—   85", 04 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Jan 2004 106"134%277" 120", 08 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 87"130%—   104", 08 Jan 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 67"145%—   79", 02 Jan 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2004 62"165%—   74", 04 Jan 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Jan 2004 74"185%—   82", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Jan 2004 126"160%221" 138", 09 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Jan 2004 91"140%—   102", 02 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Jan 2004 27"150%100" 41", 02 Jan 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Jan 2004 124"120%—   133", 02 Jan 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D15 Jan 2004 103"137%257" 118", 02 Jan 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 February 2004)

    Following a predominantly dry week, winter finally returned in the last week of January, with a major storm cycle dropping 3-4 ft of snow from northern WA to southern OR, with somewhat lesser amounts in BC and much less in CA. Unfortunately, a huge wedge of warm tropical air was pulled into OR and WA as the system intensified at the peak of this storm cycle, bringing massive amounts of rain (up to 4-6 inches) at elevations as high as 6000-7000 ft, while BC and even CA miraculously escaped the heavy rain. Thankfully, the rain was again followed by heavy snowfall over the final 2 days of the month, topping things off with 1-3 ft of fresh light powder at low snow levels from southern OR to BC. As of February 1, snowdepths remain above average throughout most of the Cascade Range, even at low elevation sites which have often had difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 110-150% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southernmost BC, but then drop to near normal or below heading farther north. Mount Rainier (Paradise) and Mount Hood (Timberline Lodge) are now vying for superiority as this season's snowdepth leader, with both reaching depths of over 14 ft and already matching or slightly exceeding their typical April 1 annual maxima. In a small region near Mount McLoughlin in southern Oregon (which is historically the lowest snowfall region in the main Cascade Range), snowdepths exceed 160% of normal for this date and far surpass the normal annual maxima at these sites.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Feb 2004 80"
88%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Feb 2004 115"96%—   121", 30 Jan 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M29 Jan 2004 62"105%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Feb 2004 85"105%267" 92", 30 Jan 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M05 Feb 2004 125"116%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M27 Jan 2004 93"115%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 145"117%452" 145", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 77"140%—   77", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 124"—  —   124", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H27 Jan 2004 74"110%—   76", 04 Jan 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 84"95%—   86", 31 Jan 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 91"85%—   92", 31 Jan 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 96"110%285" 96", 01 Feb 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 85"108%299" 88", 27 Jan 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 78"134%—   78", 01 Feb 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 170"129%477" 170", 01 Feb 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 80"154%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 132"100%—   132", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 112"—  —   124", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 83"115%—   94", 07 Jan 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 176"150%—   176", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 124"123%—   124", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Feb 2004 47"105%186" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2004 121"121%—   123", 31 Jan 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 81"107%—   88", 04 Jan 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 98"134%—   107", 04 Jan 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Feb 2004 133"150%—   133", 01 Feb 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 84"140%—   85", 31 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Feb 2004 119"125%330" 120", 08 Jan 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 95"117%—   104", 08 Jan 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 78"156%—   80", 30 Jan 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2004 76"169%—   77", 30 Jan 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Feb 2004 72"150%—   82", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M29 Jan 2004 113"128%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H31 Jan 2004 123"140%235" 138", 09 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Feb 2004 88"121%—   102", 02 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Feb 2004 33"150%115" 41", 02 Jan 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M29 Jan 2004 139"114%—   139", 29 Jan 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D01 Feb 2004 108"125%281" 118", 02 Jan 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 February 2004)

    The first week of February produced a pair of modest storm systems, leaving a total of 1-2 ft of snowfall and maintaining snowdepths at or near seasonal highs throughout most of the Cascade Range. But the second week brought the largest high-pressure ridge of the winter thus far, providing an entire week of stable, clear and dry weather from California all the way to southern BC, and causing significant settlement and consolidation of the snowpack. This was followed by a return to a stormy weather pattern at the start of the third week of the month, with a weak system dropping a few inches to a foot of snowfall over the weekend and much larger wetter systems expected to follow. As of February 15, snowdepths remain above average throughout most of the Cascade Range, even at low elevation sites which have often had difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 100-140% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to northern WA, but then drop below normal heading farther north into BC. Mount Rainier (Paradise) and Mount Hood (Timberline Lodge) continue to battle for this season's snowdepth lead, with both maintaining depths of 14-15 ft and already matching or slightly exceeding their typical April 1 annual maxima. In a small region near Mount McLoughlin in southern Oregon (which is historically the lowest snowfall region in the main Cascade Range), snowdepths exceed 150% of normal for this date and far surpass the normal annual maxima at these sites.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Feb 2004 80"
80%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Feb 2004 113"90%—   126", 06 Feb 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M29 Jan 2004 62"105%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D15 Feb 2004 82"91%287" 92", 30 Jan 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M05 Feb 2004 125"116%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M27 Jan 2004 93"115%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 140"101%482" 146", 07 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 71"120%—   77", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 121"—  —   125", 04 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 75"100%—   79", 05 Feb 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 75"80%—   86", 31 Jan 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 86"75%—   92", 31 Jan 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 86"91%300" 96", 01 Feb 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 85"98%322" 90", 07 Feb 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 73"122%—   78", 01 Feb 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 166"115%496" 170", 01 Feb 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 67"122%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 118"85%—   132", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 128"—  —   128", 15 Feb 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 87"115%—   94", 07 Jan 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 180"140%—   184", 07 Feb 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 128"115%—   132", 07 Feb 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Feb 2004 48"110%200" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2004 122"111%—   130", 03 Feb 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 87"105%—   88", 04 Jan 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 99"120%—   107", 04 Jan 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Feb 2004 130"135%360" 136", 03 Feb 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 88"135%—   88", 15 Feb 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Feb 2004 119"113%354" 122", 07 Feb 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 98"110%—   104", 08 Jan 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H05 Feb 2004 80"140%—   82", 02 Feb 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2004 77"155%—   82", 07 Feb 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Feb 2004 78"140%—   82", 01 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M29 Jan 2004 113"128%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Feb 2004 126"130%255" 138", 09 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M14 Feb 2004 89"105%—   102", 02 Jan 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —  —  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Feb 2004 48"190%144" 54", 07 Feb 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Feb 2004 140"105%—   158", 03 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D15 Feb 2004 126"127%325" 133", 07 Feb 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 March 2004)

    The second half of February returned to a stormy weather pattern, and snowdepths increased throughout the Cascade Range during this period. The bulk of this precipitation headed for southern Oregon and California, due largely to a split upper-level flow. The first massive moisture-laden storm system during February 15-18 dropped 4-6 ft of new snowfall at elevations above 6000 ft from Crater Lake south to Lassen Peak, with torrential rainfall at lower elevations. Much lesser snowfall amounts of 1-2 ft were received farther north in OR, WA, and BC. The official storm total was 58" at Lassen Chalet (6700 ft), but about 6 ft of snow fell at the automated sensor site at Lake Helen (8200 ft) on Lassen Peak. Another major storm system during February 24-26 dropped an additional 3-4 ft of snowfall on Shasta and Lassen, with about 2 ft farther north at Crater Lake. This snow fell at much lower snow levels than the previous storm, down to 3-4000 ft. Snowdepths at Mount Shasta (Old Ski Bowl) and Lassen Peak (Lake Helen) each topped 200 inches by storm's end, overtaking Mount Hood Timberline for the deepest snowdepths in North America this season. The tail end of this system produced 1-3 ft of snow farther north in OR and southern WA. February was capped off by a final system on Leap Day overnight into the first day of March, which brought another foot of snow from Crater Lake to Lassen Peak.
    As of March 1, snowdepths remain above average throughout most of the Cascade Range except the northern end, even at low elevation sites which have often had difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 110-180% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop below normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. In the southernmost Cascades from Lassen to Mount McLoughlin, snowdepths exceed 150% of normal for this date and far surpass the normal annual maxima at these sites, with Lassen Peak now leading all North American measurement sites with an impressive 222" snowdepth. Most other sites from northern CA to southern WA have also now exceeded their normal April 1 annual maximum snowdepths.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Mar 2004 78"
73%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Mar 2004 120"88%—   128", 18 Feb 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M01 Mar 2004 72"96%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Mar 2004 85"90%311" 92", 30 Jan 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M01 Mar 2004 148"102%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M26 Feb 2004 113"114%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 152"101%514" 156", 19 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 80"120%—   82", 19 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 126"—  —   127", 19 Feb 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 73"90%—   79", 05 Feb 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 77"77%—   86", 31 Jan 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 89"76%—   95", 19 Feb 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 87"88%322" 96", 01 Feb 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 83"92%337" 94", 18 Feb 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 84"131%—   87", 27 Feb 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 176"111%543" 176", 01 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 68"121%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 126"85%—   132", 01 Feb 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 155"—  —   158", 27 Feb 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 96"120%—   100", 27 Feb 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 195"139%—   195", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 141"114%—   143", 28 Feb 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Mar 2004 44"95%209" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2004 135"113%—   136", 28 Feb 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 94"103%—   94", 01 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 101"111%—   107", 04 Jan 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Mar 2004 145"135%400" 148", 18 Feb 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 103"145%—   103", 01 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Mar 2004 156"139%447" 156", 01 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 139"140%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 109"170%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2004 96"178%—   96", 01 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Mar 2004 128"190%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M02 Mar 2004 188"174%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Mar 2004 198"180%353" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Mar 2004 144"155%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M27 Feb 2004 119"161%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Mar 2004 60"230%186" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M28 Feb 2004 222"148%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D01 Mar 2004 184"166%438" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 March 2004)

    Although the calendar still said "winter", the first half of March brought a very spring-like weather pattern to the entire Cascade Range, with the jet stream carrying most storms well to the north into central and northern BC. In California, heavy snowfall stopped abruptly on March 1 and strong high pressure has dominated since then, with only 1" of new snow on Mount Shasta and none at all on Lassen. The very deep snowpack there has experienced 2-3 ft of settlement in the brilliant sunshine, but little melting has occurred above 6000 ft elevation despite near-record warmth at times (snow-water contents have not decreased). The only major storm system to affect the Cascades during this period came at the end of the first week of March, bringing 1-3 ft of snowfall from southern Oregon to BC, but this was dampened by an influx of warm air at its tail end which brought rain as high as 8000 ft even in the North Cascades. Snowdepths in OR, WA, and BC reached seasonal highs during this storm system, but have since decreased to near or below their March 1 values due to continued high pressure and mostly sunny weather.
    As of March 15, snowdepths remain above average throughout most of the Cascade Range except the northern end, even at low elevation sites which have often had difficulties in recent years. Snowdepths generally range from 100-150% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop to only 75-90% of normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. In the southernmost Cascades from Lassen to Mount McLoughlin, snowdepths exceed 120% of normal for this date and easily surpass the normal annual maxima at these sites. Mount Hood Timberline and Lassen Peak Lake Helen lead all North American measurement sites with snowdepths near the 200" mark, followed by Mount Rainier Paradise.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Mar 2004 84"
75%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Mar 2004 122"85%—   141", 07 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M01 Mar 2004 72"96%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D15 Mar 2004 85"85%335" 97", 07 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M01 Mar 2004 148"102%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M26 Feb 2004 113"114%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 150"91%559" 168", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 82"120%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 129"—  —   145", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 79"90%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 78"80%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 85"75%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 84"81%345" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 79"86%361" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 83"122%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 176"103%575" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 63"111%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 123"80%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 142"—  —   163", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 93"115%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 195"132%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 136"105%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Mar 2004 34"70%222" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2004 130"103%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 83"85%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 97"100%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Mar 2004 141"125%420" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 92"125%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Mar 2004 129"108%465" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 117"115%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 87"135%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2004 79"150%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Mar 2004 102"140%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M02 Mar 2004 188"174%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Mar 2004 160"140%354" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Mar 2004 113"115%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M27 Feb 2004 119"161%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Mar 2004 28"108%190" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Mar 2004 195"120%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D15 Mar 2004 138"117%438" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 April 2004)

    The second half of March brought a somewhat colder and wetter weather pattern, with several systems dropping new snow especially on the northern part of the range. The largest of these systems arrived on March 25-27, bringing heavy snowfall throughout the entire Cascade Range, with as much as 3-4 ft of snow at Mount Baker and Mount Saint Helens, and about 1-2 ft all the way down to northern California. The month ended with another ridge of high pressure building throughout the range, and extended forecast models are predicting drier than normal conditions for the first half of April. As of April 1, snowdepths are close to normal throughout most of the Cascade Range except the northern end. Snowdepths generally range from 90-120% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop to only 75-90% of normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. Lassen Peak Lake Helen continues to lead all North American measurement sites with a snowdepth of 187", followed closely by Mount Hood Timberline Lodge at 182".

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Apr 2004 87"
76%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Apr 2004 129"88%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M02 Apr 2004 59"77%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Apr 2004 94"93%374" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M02 Apr 2004 160"97%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M08 Apr 2004 127"112%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 159"91%630" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 82"110%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 145"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 78"90%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 78"77%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 78"72%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 79"78%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 69"80%374" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 83"120%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 169"97%622" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 54"100%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 129"80%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 147"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 89"115%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 182"112%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 133"95%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Apr 2004 7"18%225" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Apr 2004 126"102%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 76"77%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 90"90%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Apr 2004 129"110%440" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 85"115%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Apr 2004 121"98%485" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 111"104%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 71"109%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Apr 2004 62"117%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Apr 2004 77"98%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M01 Apr 2004 138"113%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Apr 2004 146"120%373" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M29 Mar 2004 106"106%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M29 Mar 2004 78"98%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D29 Mar 2004 6"33%199" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M31 Mar 2004 187"105%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D01 Apr 2004 120"115%456" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 April 2004)

    High pressure and warm temperatures dominated during the first half of April. Snowmelt proceeded quickly, and snowdepths declined rapidly throughout the range especially at lower elevations. Almost no snowfall was recorded anywhere in the entire Cascade Range until the middle of the month, when the ridge of high pressure broke down and a storm system finally came ashore on April 14-15. This brought nearly 1 ft of snowfall above 4-5000 ft throughout the Oregon Cascades, with roughly half that amount falling farther south on Mount Shasta but almost 2 ft in southern WA on Mount Saint Helens above 3700 ft. However, locations farther north in WA and BC largely missed out on the precip, receiving only a few meager inches of snow or nothing at all. As of April 15, snowdepths are close to normal throughout most of the Cascade Range, except at the northern end and at low elevations where they are well below normal. Snowdepths generally range from 90-110% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop to only 60-80% of normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. Lassen Peak Lake Helen continues to lead all North American measurement sites with a snowdepth of 170" (estimated), followed closely by Mount Hood Timberline Lodge at 163".

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Apr 2004 76"
70%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Apr 2004 111"80%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M02 Apr 2004 59"77%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D15 Apr 2004 80"80%374" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M02 Apr 2004 160"97%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M08 Apr 2004 127"112%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 138"82%630" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 63"90%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 129"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 54"70%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 65"70%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 56"60%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 61"65%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 35"49%374" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 69"97%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 116"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 147"85%626" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 25"57%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 110"75%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 139"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 71"100%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 163"101%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 116"85%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Apr 2004 2"7%227" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Apr 2004 114"94%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 56"60%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 74"80%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Apr 2004 111"100%450" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 68"100%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Apr 2004 112"99%496" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 97"97%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 53"95%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Apr 2004 39"90%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Apr 2004 74"120%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M01 Apr 2004 138"113%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Apr 2004 134"115%379" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Apr 2004 79"85%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M29 Mar 2004 78"98%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Apr 2004 0"0%199" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Apr 2004 170"100%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D15 Apr 2004 105"111%459" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 May 2004)

    Following the rapid meltdown caused by well-above-normal temperatures during the first half of April, the second half of the month brought minor relief in the the form of cooler temperatures and some snowfall. The ridge of high pressure broke down and a storm system finally came ashore on April 14-15. This brought nearly 1 ft of snowfall above 4-5000 ft throughout the Oregon Cascades, with roughly half that amount falling farther south on Mount Shasta but almost 2 ft in southern WA on Mount Saint Helens above 3700 ft. Over the next week, a stormy cycle dropped nearly 3 ft of snow on Lassen Peak and Crater Lake, with about 2 ft in the northern Oregon Cascades and about a foot on both Shasta and Rainier. However, locations farther north in WA and BC largely missed out on the precip, receiving only a few meager inches of snow. In fact, Whistler Mountain set a new record low for April snowfall (since 1973) with only 8", barely 20% of normal and about half the previous record low. At Mount Baker Ski Area, the roughly 6" of snowfall recorded in April is also almost certainly a record low amount. The month of April ended with the return of high pressure and above-normal temperatures throughout the region. As of May 1, snowdepths are nearly normal throughout most of the Cascade Range, except at the northern end and at lower elevations where they are well below normal. At higher elevation sites, snowdepths generally range from 90-110% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop to only 50-90% of normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. Lassen Peak Lake Helen continues to lead all North American measurement sites with a snowdepth of 175", followed by Mount Hood Timberline Lodge at 154". The Chinook Pass telemetry site is back online after a nearly 4-month outage, but the Sunrise site remains down.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 May 2004 64"
62%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 May 2004 95"73%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M30 Apr 2004 42"70%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 May 2004 75"82%381" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M28 Apr 2004 132"84%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M05 May 2004 95"93%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 128"93%633" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 47"80%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 119"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 35"60%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 51"56%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 34"41%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 44"53%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 4"7%375" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 54"72%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H01 May 2004 137"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 135"84%639" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 12"48%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 99"70%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 125"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 53"100%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 154"101%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 100"75%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 May 2004 0"0%241" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 97"85%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 34"37%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 58"65%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 May 2004 94"90%480" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 49"83%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 May 2004 102"102%531" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 89"97%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 43"91%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 May 2004 24"73%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 May 2004 60"145%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M27 Apr 2004 123"114%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 May 2004 124"115%395" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M27 Apr 2004 87"106%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M30 Apr 2004 51"93%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 May 2004 0"0%205" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M27 Apr 2004 175"109%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D30 Apr 2004 93"116%488" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 May 2004)

    May brought a more seasonal weather pattern throughout most of the range, with occasional weak weather systems with cloudiness and light precip, interspersed with periods of sunny high pressure and generally normal temperatures. A storm system on May 10-12 dropped as much as 6-10" of snow at higher elevations in OR and northern CA, with much smaller amounts in WA and BC. This was the only significant precipitation during the first half of May, and as expected snowdepths declined at all measurement sites during this period, most significantly at lower elevations. As of May 15, snowdepths are nearly normal throughout most of the Cascade Range, except at the northern end and at lower elevations where they are well below normal. At higher elevation sites, snowdepths generally range from 90-110% of normal from Lassen Peak all the way to southern Washington, but then drop to only 50-90% of normal heading farther north into northern WA and BC. Lassen Peak Lake Helen and Mount Hood Timberline Lodge continue to lead all North American measurement sites with snowdepths of about 11-12 feet. The Chinook Pass telemetry site is intermittently back online after a nearly 4-month outage, but the Sunrise site remains down.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 May 2004 49"
53%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 May 2004 76"67%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M30 Apr 2004 42"70%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D13 May 2004 62"75%381" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M14 May 2004 104"80%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M05 May 2004 95"93%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 101"90%633" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 26"60%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 104"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 1"3%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 33"50%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 6"10%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 19"32%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 0"0%375" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 39"—  —   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H07 May 2004 127"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 118"81%639" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 May 2004 12"48%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 79"65%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 103"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 26"85%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 132"95%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 78"75%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 May 2004 0"0%241" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 May 2004 74"75%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 0"0%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 36"55%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 May 2004 70"85%480" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 22"60%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 May 2004 83"104%541" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 73"105%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 23"85%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 May 2004 5"30%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 May 2004 30"115%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M27 Apr 2004 123"114%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 May 2004 102"120%395" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 May 2004 33"65%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M30 Apr 2004 51"93%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 May 2004 0"0%211" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 May 2004 144"110%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D30 Apr 2004 93"116% 488" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 June 2004)

    The generally cooler and wetter than normal pattern continued throughout the second half of May. Higher elevations from Mount Hood north to BC received heavy snowfall during the last week of the month, but most measuring stations were too low to record significant snowfall. As of June 1, many measurement sites throughout the Cascades now have no snowpack, except for the higher-elevation and high-snowfall sites. Snowdepths are nearly normal throughout most of the Cascade Range at higher elevations, but at lower elevations and from northern WA to BC they are well below normal. In southwestern BC, snowdepths are near record lows, below even the severe drought year of 2000-2001: the 29" depth at Tenquille Lake is the lowest for June 1 over the entire period of record since 1953, while the 60" at Orchid Lake (historically the highest-snowdepth site in Canada) is the lowest since 1993 and the 37" depth at Whistler is the lowest in at least 8 years. Far to the south, Lassen Peak Lake Helen and Mount Hood Timberline Lodge continue to lead all North American measurement sites with near-normal snowdepths of about 9-10 feet, and the late-May snowfall has boosted Timberline Lodge solidly back in front.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Jun 2004 29"
39%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Jun 2004 46"55%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M30 May 2004 0"0%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D01 Jun 2004 37"59%383" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M01 Jun 2004 73"72%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M05 May 2004 95"93%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 64"90%633" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 78"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 13"35%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 0"0%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 0"0%375" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 18"—  —   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H07 May 2004 127"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H30 Dec 2003 76"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 95"78%653" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 60"55%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 74"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 121"110%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 60"82%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Jun 2004 0"0%241" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jun 2004 44"70%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 12"30%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D31 May 2004 47"75%485" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Jun 2004 57"114%548" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 47"105%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Jun 2004 4"35%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M27 Apr 2004 123"114%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Jun 2004 79"130%395" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Jun 2004 0"0%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M30 Apr 2004 51"93%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Jun 2004 0"0%211" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M01 Jun 2004 116"115%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D30 Apr 2004 93"116% 488" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 June 2004)

    The first half of June brought additional snowfall of 1-2 ft at high elevations throughout the Cascade Range, but most measurement sites received only an inch or less. The spring melting of the snowpack generally continued at normal rates of 2-3" per day at mid and low elevations, and most measurement sites lost 2-3 ft of snowpack by June 15. Mount Hood Timberline Lodge now leads all North American measurement sites with an above-normal snowdepth of about 8 ft. Note that the Chinook Pass and Sunrise telemetry sites are back online, after outages which stretched back to Dec 30, 2003 (Chinook Pass was intermittently online in April and May 2004).

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M15 Jun 2004 0"
0%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H15 Jun 2004 18"34%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M30 May 2004 0"0%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D06 Jun 2004 29"—  383" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M15 Jun 2004 47"75%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M05 May 2004 95"93%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 23"70%633" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 50"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 0"0%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 0"0%375" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H17 Jun 2004 62"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H15 Jun 2004 35"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 60"68%654" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 36"50%—   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 41"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 98"125%—   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 32"80%—   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D15 Jun 2004 0"0%241" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jun 2004 13"35%—   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D31 May 2004 47"75% 485" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Jun 2004 27"117%549" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 18"120%—   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M27 Apr 2004 123"114%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Jun 2004 44"150%395" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Jun 2004 0"0%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M30 Apr 2004 51"93%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D15 Jun 2004 0"0%211" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Jun 2004 80"135%—   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D30 Apr 2004 93"116% 488" 184", 01 Mar 2004


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 July 2004)

    The second half of June provided some additional snowfall at high elevations in WA and BC, but little snow farther to the south. The weather during the period was generally sunny as expected, with some periods of cloudy onshore flow and occasional afternoon thunderstorms. The snowpack continued to melt at typical rates of 3-4" per day, and most measurement sites lost all of their remaining snowpack before the end of June. As of July 1, only a few of the highest snowdepth sites (Paradise, Lassen Peak, Timberline, and probably Chinook Pass, which is again offline) are still reporting a non-zero snowdepth.
    Annual snowfall totals for the July 1 - June 30 snow year are also now complete, for the few sites where this data is available. Mount Rainier Paradise led all measurement sites this year with 654" of snowfall (about 95% of normal), while Crater Lake had its first above-normal year since 1998-99 with 549" (103% of normal). For the more limited November-May ski season, Whistler's 384" was about 95% of normal and Mount Baker's 633" was also nearly normal, while the 373" at Stevens Pass was well below-normal (about 80%). The 488" recorded at Lassen Chalet is probably close to normal (I am trying to acquire the full long-term snowfall and snowdepth records for this location). Note that snowfall amounts appear to be severely underreported at Mount Shasta Old Ski Bowl and somewhat underreported at Lassen Park Chalet, because daily new snowfall amounts recorded at these sites do not properly account for the rapid settlement of the snowpack during heavy storm cycles. Year-to-date snowfall totals as of March 1 were probably already over 500 inches at these sites in order to have amassed their 15-17 ft snowdepths as of that date.

(Italicized numbers are estimated, grayed values are no longer current)
State /
Prov.
Measurement Site Location Elevation
Data Source
and Frequency
Date of
Measurement

Snow
Depth

Percent of
Normal

Seasonal
Snowfall

Year to Date
Max. Depth
BC Tenquille Lake (east of Mt Meager)5500 ft BC RFC
H, M01 Jul 2004 0"
0%
—  
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley)4400 ft BC RFC H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   145", 27 Mar 2004
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley)3400 ft BC RFC M30 May 2004 0"0%—  
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ftSki Area D06 Jun 2004 29"—  383" 100", 27 Mar 2004
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi)3900 ft BC RFC M15 Jun 2004 47"75%—  
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver)3600 ft BC RFC M05 May 2004 95"93%—  
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%633" 176", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side)4200 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side)5000 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   154", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side)3200 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   98", 07 Mar 2004
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   95", 07 Mar 2004
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass)4600 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   109", 06 Mar 2004
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%373" 103", 06 Mar 2004
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%375" 95", 06 Mar 2004
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   93", 06 Mar 2004
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H23 Jun 2004 38"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H23 Jun 2004 12"—  —  
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 8"18%654" 192", 07 Mar 2004
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   80", 01 Feb 2004
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks)5900 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   143", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side)3800 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   164", 27 Mar 2004
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side)3300 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   108", 06 Mar 2004
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 39"—  —   204", 06 Mar 2004
Mt Hood Test Site (south side)5400 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   155", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side)4000 ft NCDC D01 Jul 2004 0"0%241" 77", 07 Jan 2004
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   146", 06 Mar 2004
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   100", 06 Mar 2004
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters)4800 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   113", 05 Mar 2004
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D31 May 2004 47"75% 485" 159", 06 Mar 2004
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak)4900 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   107", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Jul 2004 0"0%549" 159", 05 Mar 2004
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"—  —   139", 01 Mar 2004
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin)6000 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   109", 01 Mar 2004
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side)5300 ft NRCS H01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   97", 05 Mar 2004
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   128", 01 Mar 2004
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side)7900 ft CCSS M27 Apr 2004 123"114%—  
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Jul 2004 0"—  395" 201", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Jul 2004 0"0%—   147", 26 Feb 2004
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side)6200 ft CCSS M30 Apr 2004 51"93%—  
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Jul 2004 0"0%211" 60", 01 Mar 2004
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side)8200 ft CCSS H, M01 Jul 2004 20"—  —   222", 28 Feb 2004
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D30 Apr 2004 93"116% 488" 184", 01 Mar 2004




Data on this page provided by:
        Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center, Mount Shasta Avalanche Center, Oregon & Washington Snow Surveys (NRCS),
        California Cooperative Snow Surveys, British Columbia River Forecast Centre & Snow Surveys,
        Western Regional Climate Center, National Climatic Data Center, Environment Canada National Climate Archive,
        Mount Rainier, Crater Lake, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks,
        Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, Mount Baker Ski Area, Stevens Pass Ski Area, and Mount Bachelor Ski Resort.

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Amar Andalkar   Seattle, WA, USA   <About the Author / Contact Me>
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Last modified Monday, January 23, 2006