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Cascade Snowfall and Snowdepth 2005-2006


2005-2006 Snow Season Summary   (last updated April 2006)

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

    Season Summary as of March 1, 2006: The 2005-2006 season got off to a great start with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall from late October into mid-November, building a snowpack well above normal and helping to erase memories of last year's misery. Most ski areas in southwestern BC, the WA Cascades, and Mount Hood opened in early November, their earliest openings since 1994 and for some areas their earliest ever. By November 15, snowdepths were 2-6 ft at many mountain locations in BC, WA, and OR, about 200-300% or more of normal. High pressure brought largely clear skies for the next ten days, settling and shrinking the snowpack, but then another cycle of very cold storms brought several more feet of snow through December 4, maintaining snowdepths well above normal even at lower elevations.
    Another strong high pressure system then brought two more weeks of sunshine, further settling the snowpack and diminishing snowdepths to below normal in BC, WA, northern CA by December 15, while Oregon remained somewhat above normal. When precipitation finally returned on Dec 18, it was warm, too warm and too wet. Heavy rainfall battered the Northwest through Christmas Day, sending the snowpack throughout the Cascade Range plummeting down the drain towards 50% of normal or less. The situation looked bleak, almost hopeless.
    Unexpectedly, on Dec 26 the weather pattern shifted to a cool and wet westerly flow, with the jet stream aimed squarely at the Pacific NW and carrying an unrelenting series of powerful storms. This excellent situation would remain in place with only a few minor interruptions for the next 6 weeks. The final week of 2005 brought 3-5 ft of new snow throughout the mountains of the Pacific NW, with another 2-4 ft during the first days of 2006. A brief warmup brought heavy rain on Jan 6-7, but cool weather quickly returned and an intense storm cycle dumped 4-9 ft of snow over the next week, capped by 111" in 7 days at Mt Baker. The subsequent storms were less sustained, but still dropped 2-5 ft atop the rapidly deepening snowpack during the third week of January. A brief high-pressure window brought 2 days of sun on Jan 24-25, but then the storms returned with renewed vigor, burying the mountains under 6-12 ft of additional snow over the next 11 days. By February 1, snowdepths had built to 9-15 ft (roughly 130-180% of normal) at most measurement sites in the Cascades, topped by well over 200" at Chinook Pass. At least one site has set a new record for February 1 snowdepth, Fourmile Lake near Mount McLoughlin with 105", over 200% of normal. During January 2006, Whistler set a new record for snowfall in any calendar month with 185", while the 269" at Mount Baker Ski Area was their 2nd-most ever for a month behind Feb 1999. The 239" at Mount Rainier Paradise and the 173" at Snoqualmie Pass were the most in any January since 1972 and 1971 respectively.
    The intense storm cycle and heavy snowfall continued into February, with 2-5 more ft of snow falling throughout the Cascades before strong high pressure returned on February 5. The West Coast basked in sunshine for the nest week while the jet stream aimed due north into south-central Alaska, dropping over 11 ft of snowfall in only 7 days at sites such as Alyeska Ski Resort. A weak system finally brought a few inches of snow to the Cascades on Feb 13-15, with isolated amounts of nearly 10" at Snoqualmie Pass and Mount Hood. Overall during the first half of the month, snowdepths have generally decreased 5-20" at most sites in the Cascades, but as of February 15 the snowpack remains at 100-150% of normal throughout the range, except on Lassen Peak where the snowpack is well below normal especially at mid-elevations.
    As the second half of February began, high pressure and a strong northerly flow around an Omega block delivered an Arctic blast to much of the WA and OR Cascades, with temps dropping as low as -10 °F at many mountain sites, the coldest in about 10 years. Meanwhile, the southern half of the Omega block (a cutoff low off the CA coast) brought 1-2 ft of champagne powder (3-5% density) to the CA Cascades and Sierra Nevada. An overall moist weather pattern returned in late February, starting with a strong frontal system that dropped 2-3 ft of snow on the WA Cascades and 1 ft on Mount Hood on Feb 23-24, followed by a quick system which brought 1-2 ft to the BC Cascades and Mount Baker on Feb 26-27. A powerful system closing out the month aimed southward at CA, dumping 2-3 ft of snow on the southern OR and CA Cascades and Sierra Nevada. Another pair of storm systems ushering in March are likely to dump 2-4 ft more of snow on that region.
    As of March 1, the snowpack is roughly 100-150% normal throughout the length of the Cascades, except for a few scattered sites which are somewhat below normal. Snowdepths at mid-elevations near treeline are generally 10-15 ft throughout the range, topped by Chinook Pass which is reporting over 200". This is in sharp contrast to last year, when a series of very warm and wet Pineapple Expresses interspersed with lengthy periods of dryness had devastated the snowpack in BC, WA, and OR. By March 1, 2005, the snowpack at most sites in southwest BC, WA, and northern OR had shrunk to record lows, only 0-30% of normal with barely a few feet of snow and extensive patches of bare ground on sunny aspects. Southern OR was slightly better off at 40-50% of normal, while only northern CA remained near normal or slightly above (see 2004-2005 season report). What a relief this year is, it's great to finally enjoy a season which is above-average throughout the entire Cascade Range.

    See the semimonthly reports below for a detailed discussion of the season . . .

    The graph and table below summarize snowdepths at 10 important sites throughout the entire Cascade Range during the 2005-2006 season (record lows are shown in red in the table). 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). Place your mouse over the links below to compare the same plot for previous seasons and with normal values for the period of record (this only works if you have a JavaScript-enabled browser). 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 2005
23"
15"
20"
6"
3"
2"
5"
3"
0"
—
15 Nov 2005 47" 24" 69" 48" 47" 40" 34" 30" 15" 18"
01 Dec 2005 37" 34" 67" 60" 55" 50" 54" 54" 36" 30"
15 Dec 2005 37" 30" 59" 58" 61" 65" 63" 53" 40" 35"
01 Jan 2006 63" 54" 66" 91" 57" 90" 101" 90" 108" 104"
15 Jan 2006 100" 99" 134" 135" 96" 120" 120" 114" 134" 126"
01 Feb 2006 139" 107" 177" 172" 147" 177" 160" 150" 150" 161"
15 Feb 2006 132" 96" 172" 162" 142" 164" 155" 129" 139" 138"
01 Mar 2006 137" 104" 188" 179" 140" 176" 157" 147" 165" 176"
15 Mar 2006 154" 114" 199" 201" 190" 203" 171" 168" 205" 210"
01 Apr 2006 — 117" 192" 200" 190" 197" 168" 171" 249" 238"
15 Apr 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
01 May 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
15 May 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
01 Jun 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
15 Jun 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
01 Jul 2006 — — — — — — — — — —
 
Seasonal Max 171" 119" 210" 215" 204" 208" 177" 172" 249" 238"
Date of Max 08 Mar
2006		 07 Mar
2006		 10 Mar
2006		 10 Mar
2006		 22 Mar
2006		 12 Mar
2006		 10 Mar
2006		 17 Mar
2006		 01 Apr
2006		 01 Apr
2006


Semimonthly Snowfall and Snowdepth Reports for the 2005-2006 Season


    The tables below show semimonthly snowfall and snowdepth info at 47 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 for the 2005-2006 season. The NRCS continues its program of adding snowdepth gauges to existing SNOTEL sites, including several very useful sites on or near the Cascade volcanoes this season.
State /
Prov.		 Measurement Site Location Elevation
 Data Source
and Frequency
 Information and Notes
WA Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak)5900 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site, added to list
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side)4000 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site, added to list
OR Diamond Lake (west of Mt Thielsen)5300 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site (in 2004), added to list
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side)6100 ft NRCS HSnowdepth gauge installed on existing SNOTEL site, added to list


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 November 2005)

    The 2005-2006 snow season again received a very promising launch . . .

Archived data for 15 Nov 2005 will be inserted here soon . . .



(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, M "
"
 ",
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H " " ",
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D " " ",
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H " " ",
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H " " ",
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D " " ",
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H " " ",
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D " " ",
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H " " ",
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A " " ",
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H " " ",
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M " " ",
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D " " ",
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D " " ",


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 December 2005)

Text narrative to be written . . .

Archived data for 01 Dec 2005 will be inserted here soon . . .



(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, M "
"
 ",
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H " " ",
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D " " ",
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H " " ",
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H " " ",
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D " " ",
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H " " ",
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D " " ",
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H " " ",
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A " " ",
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H " " ",
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M " " ",
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D " " ",
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D " " ",


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 December 2005)

Text narrative to be written . . .

Archived data for 15 Dec 2005 will be inserted here soon . . .



(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, M "
"
 ",
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H " " ",
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D " " ",
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H " " ",
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H " " ",
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D " " ",
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H " " ",
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D " " ",
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H " " ",
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A " " ",
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H " " ",
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M " " ",
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D " " ",
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D " " ",


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 January 2006)

    Strong high pressure and clear sunny skies continued into the second half of December. When precipitation finally returned on Dec 18, it was warm, too warm and too wet. Heavy rainfall battered the Northwest through Christmas Day, sending the snowpack throughout the Cascade Range plummeting down the drain towards 50% of normal or less. The situation looked bleak, almost hopeless. Unexpectedly, on Dec 26 the weather pattern shifted to a cool and wet westerly flow, with the jet stream aimed squarely at the Pacific NW and carrying an unrelenting series of powerful storms. This excellent situation would remain in place with only a few minor interruptions for the next 6 weeks. The final week of 2005 brought 3-5 ft of new snow throughout the mountains of the Pacific NW, lifting the snowpack back towards respectable levels.

Archived data for 01 Jan 2006 will be inserted here soon . . .


(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, M "
"
 ",
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H " " ",
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M " " ",
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D " " ",
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H " " ",
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H " " ",
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H " " ",
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H " " ",
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D " " ",
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D " " ",
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D " " ",
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H " " ",
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H " " ",
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D " " ",
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H " " ",
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H " " ",
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H " " ",
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A " " ",
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H " " ",
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M " " ",
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D " " ",
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M " " ",
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D " " ",


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 January 2006)

    The excellent cold and wet pattern which began in late December continued into the New Year and throughout most of January. An ongoing storm cycle dumped another 2-4 ft of snow throughout the Cascade Range during the first days of 2006. A brief warmup brought heavy rain on Jan 6-7, but cool weather quickly returned and an intense storm cycle dumped 4-9 ft of snow over the next week, capped by 111" in 7 days at Mt Baker. By January 15, the snowpack was generally near or above normal throughout the Cascade Range, even at moderately-low elevations which have often suffered most in recent years, with a few higher sites in southern OR and northern CA exceeding 150% of normal. Snowdepths at mid-elevations near treeline are generally 8-11 ft throughout the range, topped by Chinook Pass which is reporting over 160".


(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 2006 87"
 111%
 —  
 90", 14 Jan 2006
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H15 Jan 2006 100" 97% —   102", 14 Jan 2006
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —   —   —
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D15 Jan 2006 99" 138% 235" 100", 14 Jan 2006
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC Mno data     —  —   —   —
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D15 Jan 2006 61" 85% 127" 63", 14 Jan 2006
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 134" 124% 393" 137", 14 Jan 2006
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 65" 140% —   65", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H07 Jan 2006 36" 50% —   48", 04 Jan 2006
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 49" 90% —   53", 13 Jan 2006
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 82" 107% —   87", 13 Jan 2006
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 104" 118% —   108", 13 Jan 2006
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 128" 119% —   133", 13 Jan 2006
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 81" 111% 252" 82", 14 Jan 2006
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 83" 128% 228" 83", 15 Jan 2006
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 70" 146% —   75", 13 Jan 2006
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H15 Jan 2006 166" 136% —   172", 13 Jan 2006
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H15 Jan 2006 114" —   —   116", 14 Jan 2006
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 135" 121% 383" 135", 15 Jan 2006
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 50" 114% —   54", 13 Jan 2006
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 107" 96% —   111", 13 Jan 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 49" 98% —   54", 04 Dec 2005
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 96" 139% —   96", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 58" 102% —   61", 12 Jan 2006
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 120" 119% 294" 120", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 89" 103% —   89", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D15 Jan 2006 26" 67% 110" 50", 04 Dec 2005
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Jan 2006 110" 126% 257" 110", 15 Jan 2006
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 55" 87% —   58", 12 Jan 2006
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 67" 107% —   67", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Jan 2006 120" 158% 266" 120", 15 Jan 2006
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 70" 135% —   70", 15 Jan 2006
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 23" 63% —   33", 04 Dec 2005
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI Hno data     —  —   —   —
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Jan 2006 114" 143% 292" 114", 15 Jan 2006
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 102" 151% —   102", 15 Jan 2006
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 68" 116% —   68", 15 Jan 2006
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 70" 152% —   70", 15 Jan 2006
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Jan 2006 45" 118% —   45", 15 Jan 2006
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Jan 2006 82" 205% —   82", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —   —   —
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Jan 2006 134" 170% 252" 134", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Jan 2006 94" 146% —   94", 15 Jan 2006
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS Mno data     —  —   —   —
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D17 Jan 2006 11" 61% —   11", 17 Jan 2006
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Jan 2006 126" 124% —   126", 15 Jan 2006
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D17 Jan 2006 84" 112% 159" 84", 17 Jan 2006


Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 February 2006)

    During the third week of January, the storms were less sustained, but still dropped 2-5 ft atop the rapidly deepening snowpack. A brief high-pressure window brought 2 days of sun on Jan 24-25, but then the storms returned with renewed vigor, burying the mountains under 6-12 ft of additional snow over the next 11 days. By February 1, snowdepths had built to 9-15 ft (roughly 130-180% of normal) at most measurement sites in the Cascades, topped by well over 200" at Chinook Pass. At least one site has set a new record for February 1 snowdepth, Fourmile Lake near Mount McLoughlin with 105", over 200% of normal. (record highs are marked in bold green below). During January 2006, Whistler set a new record for snowfall in any calendar month with 185", while the 269" at Mount Baker Ski Area was their 2nd-most ever for a month behind Feb 1999. The 239" at Mount Rainier Paradise and the 173" at Snoqualmie Pass were their most in any January since 1972 and 1971 respectively.


(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 2006 105"
 117%
 —  
 105", 01 Feb 2006
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H01 Feb 2006 139" 115% —   139", 01 Feb 2006
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M31 Jan 2006 81" 137% —   —
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D01 Feb 2006 107" 132% 311" 108", 30 Jan 2006
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M03 Feb 2006 172" 159% —   —
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D01 Feb 2006 119" 137% 221" 119", 01 Feb 2006
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 177" 143% 518" 177", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 92" 167% —   92", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 104" 127% —   104", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 86" 128% —   88", 29 Jan 2006
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 114" 131% —   114", 01 Feb 2006
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 142" 133% —   142", 01 Feb 2006
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 164" 136% —   164", 01 Feb 2006
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 125" 144% 376" 125", 01 Feb 2006
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 112" 142% 332" 116", 30 Jan 2006
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 103" 178% —   105", 29 Jan 2006
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H01 Feb 2006 217" 150% —   220", 30 Jan 2006
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H01 Feb 2006 125" —   —   125", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 172" 130% 507" 172", 01 Feb 2006
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 73" 135% —   76", 29 Jan 2006
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 148" 110% —   148", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 85" 142% —   92", 29 Jan 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 147" 179% —   153", 29 Jan 2006
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 107" 151% —   118", 29 Jan 2006
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 177" 151% 400" 171", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 136" 135% —   137", 29 Jan 2006
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D29 Jan 2006 69" 153% 163" 69", 29 Jan 2006
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Feb 2006 154" 154% 395" 154", 01 Feb 2006
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 102" 134% —   102", 01 Feb 2006
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 107" 147% —   107", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Feb 2006 160" 180% 345" 160", 01 Feb 2006
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 99" 162% —   99", 01 Feb 2006
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 59" 134% —   59", 01 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H01 Feb 2006 162" —   —   162", 01 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Feb 2006 150" 158% 374" 150", 01 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 139" 172% —   139", 01 Feb 2006
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 104" 151% —   104", 01 Feb 2006
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 105" 210% —   105", 01 Feb 2006
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H01 Feb 2006 83" 184% —   83", 01 Feb 2006
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Feb 2006 92" 196% —   92", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M03 Feb 2006 137" 156% —   —
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Feb 2006 150" 170% 302" 150", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Feb 2006 105" 144% —   105", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M31 Jan 2006 77" 138% —   —
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Feb 2006 18" 82% —   20", 27 Jan 2006
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M25 Jan 2006 161" 132% —   161", 25 Jan 2006
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D27 Jan 2006 97" 113% 194" 97", 27 Jan 2006
    NOTE: Current data for Lassen Peak Lake Helen is from the manual snow course, which is about 39" greater than the automated snowdepth gauge (possibly wind-affected).

Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 February 2006)

    The intense storm cycle and heavy snowfall continued into February, with 2-5 more ft of snow falling throughout the Cascades before strong high pressure returned on February 5. The West Coast basked in sunshine for the nest week while the jet stream aimed due north into south-central Alaska, dropping over 11 ft of snowfall in only 7 days at sites such as Alyeska Ski Resort. A weak system finally brought a few inches of snow to the Cascades on Feb 13-15, with isolated amounts of nearly 10" at Snoqualmie Pass and Mount Hood. Overall during the first half of the month, snowdepths have generally decreased 5-20" at most sites in the Cascades, but as of February 15 the snowpack remains at 100-150% of normal throughout the range, except on Lassen Peak where the snowpack is well below normal especially at mid-elevations.


(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 2006 94"
 95%
 —  
 115", 04 Feb 2006
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H15 Feb 2006 132" 105% —   143", 07 Feb 2006
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M31 Jan 2006 81" 137% —   —
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D15 Feb 2006 96" 106% 337" 111", 05 Feb 2006
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M03 Feb 2006 172" 159% —   —
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D15 Feb 2006 118" 122% 247" 130", 05 Feb 2006
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 172" 124% 571" 196", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 86" 143% —   104", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 105" 116% —   118", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 85" 115% —   102", 05 Feb 2006
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 95" 102% —   117", 04 Feb 2006
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 121" 108% —   146", 04 Feb 2006
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 149" 114% —   168", 05 Feb 2006
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 117" 123% 413" 133", 04 Feb 2006
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 106" 122% 361" 116", 30 Jan 2006
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 92" 153% —   105", 29 Jan 2006
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H15 Feb 2006 194" 126% —   225", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H14 Feb 2006 117" —   —   125", 03 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 162" 113% 541" 179", 03 Feb 2006
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 70" 127% —   78", 03 Feb 2006
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 141" 100% —   158", 04 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 84" 125% —   92", 29 Jan 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 142" 150% —   154", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 103" 137% —   118", 29 Jan 2006
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 164" 127% 436" 188", 03 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 135" 121% —   146", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D15 Feb 2006 48" 109% 181" 69", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Feb 2006 153" 139% 441" 166", 02 Feb 2006
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 94" 113% —   105", 03 Feb 2006
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 104" 127% —   114", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Feb 2006 155" 158% 370" 170", 05 Feb 2006
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 92" 139% —   102", 04 Feb 2006
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 40" 84% —   59", 01 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H15 Feb 2006 149" —   —   162", 04 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Feb 2006 129" 123% 384" 153", 05 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 121" 134% —   139", 01 Feb 2006
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 88" 121% —   104", 02 Feb 2006
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 92" 161% —   105", 02 Feb 2006
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Feb 2006 72" 145% —   84", 02 Feb 2006
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Feb 2006 84" 150% —   92", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M03 Feb 2006 137" 156% —   —
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Feb 2006 139" 142% 312" 150", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Feb 2006 90" 108% —   105", 01 Feb 2006
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M31 Jan 2006 77" 138% —   —
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D14 Feb 2006 8" 32% —   —
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Feb 2006 138" 101% —   —
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D14 Feb 2006 72" 73% —   —
    NOTE: Current value for Lassen Peak Lake Helen is estimated (based on the manual snow course) to be 30" greater than the automated snowdepth gauge, which may be wind-affected.

Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 March 2006)

    As the second half of February began, high pressure and a strong northerly flow around an Omega block delivered an Arctic blast to much of the WA and OR Cascades, with temps dropping as low as -10 °F at many mountain sites, the coldest in about 10 years. Meanwhile, the southern half of the Omega block (a cutoff low off the CA coast) brought 1-2 ft of champagne powder (3-5% density) to the CA Cascades and Sierra Nevada. An overall moist weather pattern returned in late February, starting with a strong frontal system that dropped 2-3 ft of snow on the WA Cascades and 1 ft on Mount Hood on Feb 23-24, followed by a quick system which brought 1-2 ft to the BC Cascades and Mount Baker on Feb 26-27. A powerful system closing out the month aimed southward at CA, dumping 2-3 ft of snow on the southern OR and CA Cascades and Sierra Nevada.
    As of March 1, the snowpack is roughly 100-150% normal throughout the length of the Cascades, except for a few scattered sites which are somewhat below normal. Snowdepths at mid-elevations near treeline are generally 10-15 ft throughout the range, topped by Chinook Pass which is reporting over 200". This is in sharp contrast to last year, when a series of very warm and wet Pineapple Expresses interspersed with lengthy periods of dryness had devastated the snowpack in BC, WA, and OR. By March 1, 2005, the snowpack at most sites in southwest BC, WA, and northern OR had shrunk to record lows, only 0-30% of normal with barely a few feet of snow and extensive patches of bare ground on sunny aspects. Southern OR was slightly better off at 40-50% of normal, while only northern CA remained near normal or slightly above (see 2004-2005 season report). What a relief this year is, it's great to finally enjoy a season which is above-average throughout the entire Cascade Range.


(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 2006 99"
 92%
 —  
 115", 04 Feb 2006
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H01 Mar 2006 137" 100% —   143", 07 Feb 2006
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M28 Feb 2006 84" 113% —   —
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D01 Mar 2006 104" 110% 359" 111", 05 Feb 2006
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M24 Feb 2006 145" 100% —   —
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D01 Mar 2006 119" 112% 255" 130", 05 Feb 2006
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 188" 125% 633" 197", 23 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 96" 148% —   109", 23 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 125" 126% —   131", 23 Feb 2006
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 98" 123% —   112", 23 Feb 2006
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 111" 111% —   117", 04 Feb 2006
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 135" 115% —   146", 04 Feb 2006
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 164" 117% —   168", 05 Feb 2006
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 127" 128% 443" 139", 23 Feb 2006
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 118" 131% 398" 122", 24 Feb 2006
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 95" 148% —   105", 29 Jan 2006
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H01 Mar 2006 204" 125% —   225", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H26 Feb 2006 119" —   —   125", 03 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 179" 113% 584" 182", 28 Feb 2006
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 74" 128% —   78", 03 Feb 2006
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 151" 101% —   158", 04 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 91" 128% —   96", 23 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 140" 131% —   154", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 103" 130% —   118", 29 Jan 2006
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 176" 126% 472" 188", 03 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 142" 115% —   146", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D01 Mar 2006 51" 111% 194" 69", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D01 Mar 2006 154" 129% 467" 166", 02 Feb 2006
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 91" 100% —   105", 03 Feb 2006
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 101" 111% —   114", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D01 Mar 2006 157" 147% 390" 170", 05 Feb 2006
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 96" 135% —   102", 04 Feb 2006
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 42" 82% —   59", 01 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H01 Mar 2006 165" —   —   166", 28 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D01 Mar 2006 147" 130% 413" 153", 05 Feb 2006
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 136" 137% —   139", 01 Feb 2006
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 94" 122% —   104", 02 Feb 2006
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 99" 155% —   105", 02 Feb 2006
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H01 Mar 2006 74" 137% —   84", 02 Feb 2006
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A01 Mar 2006 103" 158% —   103", 01 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M22 Feb 2006 124" 115% —   —
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H01 Mar 2006 165" 153% 360" 150", 01 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M01 Mar 2006 111" 119% —   111", 01 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M31 Jan 2006 77" 138% —   —
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D01 Mar 2006 14" 54% —   —
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M23 Feb 2006 176" 117% —   —
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D24 Feb 2006 93" 84% —   —
    NOTE: Current data for Lassen Peak Lake Helen is from the manual snow course, which is about 30" greater than the automated snowdepth gauge (possibly wind-affected).

Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 March 2006)

Text narrative to be written . . .



(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 2006 102"
 91%
 —  
 115", 04 Feb 2006
Upper Squamish River (NW of Cayley) 4400 ft BC RFC H15 Mar 2006 154" 107% —   171", 08 Mar 2006
Callaghan Creek (east of Mt Cayley) 3400 ft BC RFC M28 Feb 2006 84" 113% —   —
Whistler Mtn, Pig Alley (N of Garibaldi) 5400 ft Ski Area D15 Mar 2006 114" 114% 408" 119", 07 Mar 2006
Orchid Lake (south of Mt Garibaldi) 3900 ft BC RFC M24 Feb 2006 145" 100% —   —
Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver) 3700 ft Ski Area D15 Mar 2006 160" 140% 311" 160", 15 Mar 2006
WA Mt Baker Ski Area (NE of Mt Baker) 4200 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 199" 121% 699" 210", 10 Mar 2006
Mt Baker, Wells Creek (north side) 4200 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 104" 151% —   112", 10 Mar 2006
Mt Baker, MF Nooksack (NW side) 5000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 135" 122% —   142", 10 Mar 2006
Mt Baker, Elbow Lake (SW side) 3200 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 111" 129% —   121", 09 Mar 2006
Rainy Pass (far NE of Glacier Peak) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 104" 103% —   117", 04 Feb 2006
Park Creek Ridge (E of Cascade Pass) 4600 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 131" 116% —   146", 04 Feb 2006
Lyman Lake (NE of Glacier Peak) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 166" 118% —   168", 05 Feb 2006
Stevens Pass [see also NRCS site] 4000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 133" 128% 491" 144", 09 Mar 2006
Snoqualmie Pass 3000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 118" 128% 429" 132", 09 Mar 2006
Crystal Mtn Ski Area (NE of Rainier) 4400 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 107" 157% —   108", 09 Mar 2006
Chinook Pass (east of Mt Rainier) 5600 ft NWAC H15 Mar 2006 212" 117% —   225", 02 Feb 2006
Mt Rainier, Sunrise (NE side) 6400 ft NWAC H14 Mar 2006 135" —   —   —
Mt Rainier, Paradise (south side) 5400 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 201" 118% 663" 215", 10 Mar 2006
White Pass [see also NRCS site] 4500 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 91" 160% —   —
Pigtail Peak (N of Goat Rocks) 5900 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 151" 98% —   161", 10 Mar 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Sheep Canyon (W side) 4000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 125" 169% —   128", 11 Mar 2006
Mt Saint Helens, Swift Creek (S side) 3800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 190" 165% —   198", 10 Mar 2006
Mt Saint Helens, June Lake (SE side) 3300 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 143" 177% —   150", 10 Mar 2006
OR Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge (S side) 6000 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 203" 137% 538" 208", 12 Mar 2006
Mt Hood Test Site (south side) 5400 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 166" 126% —   171", 12 Mar 2006
Mt Hood, Government Camp (SW side) 4000 ft NCDC D15 Mar 2006 65" 135% 217" 69", 05 Feb 2006
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area (SE side) 5200 ft NWAC H, D15 Mar 2006 181" 144% 547" 186", 12 Mar 2006
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 106" 112% —   112", 09 Mar 2006
McKenzie (NW of Three Sisters) 4800 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 118" 124% —   131", 09 Mar 2006
Mt Bachelor Ski Area (north side) 6300 ft Ski Area D15 Mar 2006 171" 153% 450" 177", 10 Mar 2006
Cascade Summit (NE of Diamond Peak) 4900 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 116" 160% —   122", 10 Mar 2006
Diamond Lake (NE of Mt Bailey) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 60" 114% —   60", 15 Mar 2006
Crater Lake, Caldera Rim (SW side) 7100 ft DRI H15 Mar 2006 183" —   —   184", 09 Mar 2006
Crater Lake, Park HQ (SW side) 6400 ft NPS H, D15 Mar 2006 168" 142% 476" 168", 15 Mar 2006
Crater Lake, Annie Springs (SW side) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 155" 150% —   158", 10 Mar 2006
Pelican Butte, Cold Springs (NW side) 6100 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 114" 139% —   118", 09 Mar 2006
Fourmile Lake (east of Mt McLoughlin) 6000 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 116" 180% —   122", 09 Mar 2006
Mt McLoughlin, Billie Creek (SE side) 5300 ft NRCS H15 Mar 2006 94" 176% —   99", 10 Mar 2006
CA Medicine Lake (west side of caldera) 6700 ft CCSS H*, A15 Mar 2006 136" 189% —   137", 14 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Horse Camp (SW side) 7900 ft CCSS M22 Feb 2006 124" 115% —   —
Mt Shasta, Old Ski Bowl (south side) 7600 ft MSAC H15 Mar 2006 205" 178% 431" 207", 14 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Sand Flat (SW side) 6800 ft CCSS H, M15 Mar 2006 145" 150% —   146", 14 Mar 2006
Mt Shasta, Brewer Creek (east side) 6200 ft CCSS M31 Jan 2006 77" 138% —   —
Lassen Peak, Manzanita Lake (NW side) 5800 ft NPS D14 Mar 2006 49" 188% —   51", 11 Mar 2006
Lassen Peak, Lake Helen (south side) 8200 ft CCSS H, M15 Mar 2006 210" 128% —   210", 15 Mar 2006
Lassen Chalet (SW of Lassen Peak) 6700 ft NPS D13 Mar 2006 152" 129% —   152", 13 Mar 2006
    NOTE: Current data for Lassen Peak Lake Helen is from the automated snowdepth gauge, which is in a wind-affected location and probably measures about 30" less than the manual snow course.

Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 April 2006)


See the Current Snowfall and Snowdepth Info



Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 April 2006)





Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 May 2006)





Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 May 2006)





Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 June 2006)





Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (15 June 2006)





Snowfall and Snowdepth Info (01 July 2006)







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.

Detailed Snow Season Reports: 2005-2006 | 2004-2005 | 2003-2004 | 2002-2003 | Previous Seasons | Normals & Info | Cascades El Niño / La Niña
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Amar Andalkar   Seattle, WA, USA   <About the Author / Contact Me>
All material on this website is ©1997-2024 by Amar Andalkar unless otherwise noted.
Last modified Monday, April 3, 2006