 Climate Monitoring / Climate of 2007 / US Summary / Snow Summary / Help
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout April 2007. By clicking on the images, the change in sea-ice extent across parts of the Arctic can be seen through the month as well as several significant snowfall events across the U.S. and Europe. The seasonal retreat of snow cover can be seen in both animations.
More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
 larger image Image courtesy of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service |
The map to the left depicts percent of average snowpack in the West and Alaska as of May 1st. For the 2007 Water Year, snow water-equivalent (SWE) values are near average over portions of the Cascades (WA) and Colorado Front Range. Elsewhere, melt out continued and at an accelerated pace as a high pressure ridge brought unwelcomed heat over much of the West. By the end of the month, SWE decreased and snow depths responded in kind with many areas losing more than two inches per day. Additional information on the western U.S. snowpack can be found at the following USDA/NRCS webpage. . |
| A late season winter storm dumped nearly a foot of snow across areas of Maine on the 5th, snarling traffic and forcing governor Jim Baldacci to declare a state of emergency after at least 275,000 homes and businesses lost power (Reuters). Portland recorded its fifth biggest snowstorm in April for a 24-hour period. |
 Maine Snow Depth Map |
March
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout March 2007. By clicking on the images, the change in sea-ice extent across parts of the Arctic can be seen through the month as well as several significant snowfall events across the U.S., China and India.
More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
 larger image Image courtesy of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service |
The map to the left depicts percent of average snowpack in the West and Alaska as of April 1st. The Northern Cascades, Big Horn Mountains in
Wyoming, and Colorado Front Range are the only regions showing near or above normal snowwater-equivalent (SWE). Conditions are dire over the Sierra Nevada (CA-NV), Wasatch (UT), and the mountains of Arizona. SWE improved over the Northern Rockies due to the snow storm at the end of March. Conditions continue to deteriorate over northern California and now over southern Oregon. Snowfall accumulated over the Northern
Rockies (WY and MT) but decreased elsewhere. Additional information on the western U.S. snowpack can be found at the following USDA/NRCS webpage.
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| A St. Patrick's Day winter storm caused travel problems across parts of the Northeast on the 16th and 17th. More than 1000 flights were cancelled in New York City as more than 5 inches of snow was reported in Central Park. Eight inches fell in Frostburg, Maryland and up to 2 feet of snow were reported in the northern Catskills of New York. Farther to the south, freezing rain and ice accumulated from northern Virginia throughout much of Pennsylvania and into parts of southern New York making driving conditions hazardous. | |
| A strong Pacific storm system brought mountain snow to much of Idaho, Nevada and Utah on the 27th. The storm continued to move to the northeast and was enhanced by the influx of Gulf of Mexico moisture. The result was a major snow event across portions of Utah and Wyoming from the 28th through the 30th. Hobbs Park, WY reported 70 inches of snow during this time. Brian Head, UT and Alta, UT also reported significant accumulations of 39 and 19 inches, respectively. |
larger image Image courtesy of the NWS Riverton, WY Office |
February
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout February 2007. By clicking on the images, the change in sea-ice extent across parts of the Arctic can be seen through the month as well as several significant snowfall events across the U.S..
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 larger image Image courtesy of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service |
The map to the left depicts percent of average snowpack in the West and Alaska as of March 1st. Regions showing a surplus in snow water equivalent (SWE) totals are over the Northern Cascades and the Front Range of the Rockies in Colorado and New Mexico. During the last week of February, snowfall was significant over the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin ranges. Snowfall amount increases ranged from over three feet in parts of the Sierras and Cascades to less than one foot over the eastern slope of the Rockies. Snow cover actually decreased over Arizona and most of New Mexico. Extreme variations in snowpack levels exist across Alaska, with the highest values occuring in the southeast portion of the state. |
January
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout January 2007. By clicking on the images, the change in sea-ice extent across parts of the Arctic (especially the Labrador Sea) can be seen through the month as well as several significant snowfall events across the U.S. and Europe. More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
 larger image Image courtesy of the NRCS National Water and Climate Center |
The map to the left depicts the snow water equivalent (SWE) as a percent of normal for the western U.S. as of January 31st. Much of Washington and parts of Colorado reported more than 120% of normal SWE for this time of year. Smaller patches of above normal SWE were also reported in Arizona and New Mexico. In contrast, the absence of snow in the Intermountain Basin, the Oregon Cascades and the Sierras is also evident from the map. Additional information on January severe winter weather can also be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
December
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout December 2006. By clicking on the images, the advance of sea-ice across Hudson Bay and parts of the Arctic can be seen through the month as well as the snowstorm across the Plains and Great Lakes in early December, the Rockies blizzard on December 20-21 and another snowstorm in the Rockies and High Plains on December 29-31.
More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
 larger image Image courtesy of the NWS-Denver/Boulder  larger image |
The map to the left depicts the snowfall totals for the blizzard which affected primarily the front-range of the Colorado Rockies on December 20-21, 2006. Some of the largest snowfall totals during this event ranged from 21 inches (53.3 cm) in Fort Collins to 42 inches (106.7 cm) at Conifer, southwest of Denver. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Boulder measured 19 inches (48.3 cm) of snowfall. This blizzard forced the closure of interstates, businesses, schools and airports stranding thousands of holiday travelers. Denver International Airport closed on the 19th, leaving about 5000 air travelers stranded in the terminals until the weather cleared. Blowing and drifting snows, creating drifts up to 5 feet (152 cm) deep, prevented the airport from reopening until the 22nd. For the month, Denver received 29.4 inches (74.7 cm) of snowfall: the 3rd snowiest December on record (1882-2006). The holiday 2006 blizzard was also the 7th largest for Denver since 1946. Other notable snowfall accumulations in other states, as seen in the map to the left, include: Cheyenne, WY with 13.6 inches (34.5 cm), Scottsbluff, NE with 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) and Bridgeport, NE with 17.5 inches (44.5 cm). More information on December severe winter weather can also be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
November
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The two satellite-derived animations above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout November 2006. The maps illustrate the advance of the snow pack in the northern latitudes. By clicking on the images, the gradual expansion of snow and ice cover is shown throughout the first 3 weeks of the month. During the last several days of November, snow cover expanded across Canada, the U.S. and parts of Asia. By the 30th, much of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Alaska, Canada and the western U.S. were snow covered. Arctic sea-ice also increases throughout the month and ice cover on Hudson Bay begins to form along the perimeter. Great Lakes ice cover has yet to develop in 2006.
More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
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The map to the left depicts the 2-day accumulated snowfall present across a wide swath from the southern Great Plains to the Great Lakes from mid-day on November 29th through mid-day on December 1st. A major winter storm swept across this region bringing widespread ice and snow and causing major power outages. Over a foot of snow was reported from southeast Kansas to western Illinois during this event. A few days prior to this snowstorm, heavy snowfall blanketed areas of the Pacific Northwest. New snowfall accumulations of up to two feet (60 cm) fell in the Cascades of Washington and Oregon. More information on November severe winter weather can also be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
October
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The two satellite-derived images above show the daily snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere (left map) and North America (right map) throughout October 2006. The maps show small amounts of snow cover on October 1st, illustrating the beginning of the snow pack in the northern latitudes. By clicking on the images, the gradual expansion of snow and ice cover is shown to increase throughout the month across much of Siberia as well as parts of Alaska and Canada. Snow events in the U.S. are evident in the Rockies and northern tier states throughout the month of October, yet snow cover is short-lived. Buffalo, NY set a new record for daily October snowfall when 8.6 inches of snow fell on the 12th. This was the snowiest October day in Buffalo's 136-year history. The following day, 14 inches of snow fell, breaking this new record. Snowfall accumulations caused widespread power outages across the area. See the Buffalo NWS webpage for additional information on this storm. More information on significant winter weather and other hazards can be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
 larger image Image courtesy of the NRCS National Water and Climate Center |
The map to the left depicts the snow water equivalent (SWE) as a percent of normal for the western U.S. as of November 1st. Much of Colorado and parts of Montana reported more than 160% of normal SWE for this time of year. Smaller patches of above normal SWE were also reported in Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Several snow events impacted the central Rockies during October, which allowed ski resorts to open earlier than usual. In contrast, the absence of snow in the Intermountain Basin, the Cascades and the Sierras is also evident from the map. Additional information on October severe winter weather can also be found on NCDC's Hazards page. |
Useful Links|
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Questions?For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:
| Climate Services Division NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4876 phone: 828-271-4800 email: questions@ncdc.noaa.gov |
For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:
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Jay Lawrimore NOAA/National Climatic Data Center 151 Patton Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-5001 fax: 828-271-4328 email: Jay.Lawrimore@noaa.gov |
NCDC / Climate Monitoring / Climate of 2007 / Snow Summary / Help
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2006/snow0607.html 