Wednesday, February 27, 2008

snowpack in the rockies


I have had the greatest time reading geology blogs such as Apparent Dip. Magma Cum Laude, The Lost geologist, NOVA Geo blog and Ron Schott's page and thought I would join in the action. I didn't link these blogs as I thought it would be presumptuous on my part without asking them.

One of my passions is watching how changes in each winter's snow pack influences how our spring and summer will behave. This is especially true for those of us who are looking forward to river trips in the warmer weather. Also I love data!

This graph courtesy of the National Resources Conservation Service. The black line shows this year's totals to date as compared to the last few years and to the 30 year average. It is plain to see that we are on track for record breaking snow in our river basin. But, what is interesting to see is how quickly the snow melts once the weather turns warm. A study done at the University of Colorado shows that the snow in the upper Colorado Basin has melted out about o.4 days earlier per year over the last 30 years for a melt out two weeks earlier than the 1970's. What will this year look like? A fast melt with flooding? A slow melt with full streams throughout the summer? Stay tuned to find out.

10 comments:

Callan Bentley said...

Welcome aboard! Glad you've joined our ranks. Nice banner shot -- I like its huge size; shows a ton of gorgeous detail.

Unknown said...

Welcome on board! I hope you'll enjoy it.

Kim said...

Welcome to the geoblogosphere! And this winter in the Rockies has been very interesting - I'm in SW Colorado, and the local Search and Rescue group is already discussing how to handle flooding.

We had three feet in our yard at one point. The south side of the house already has bare ground.

Geology Happens said...

Kim, I didn't know you were on that side of the mountains. I lived down there a few decades ago and 2/3 of my children graduated from your school. The sciences at FLC are great and I am a big advocate of the school.

Ron Schott said...

Subscribed! Always nice to welcome another geoblogger!

Jessica Ball said...

Welcome! And go right ahead and add me to your links list - that's how we help each other get noticed. You're going on mine as soon as I figure out how to do that from an iPod touch :)

Silver Fox said...

I'm relatively new here myself, but welcome! And go ahead and add my link if you'd like.

Lot's of snow you've got there!

McMoots said...

Welcome!

Incidentally, blogospheric custom is usually to just link away without stopping to ask for permission - no need to feel presumptuous :)

Julian said...

Welcome!
I'm a total newbie myself, but I don't think that excludes me from welcome wagoning.

The custom is to link freely and randomly, but since you're one for asking, may I link you?

Mathias said...

Another welcome from my side of the atlantic! I'm quite flattered to see my blog being mentioned by you. Feel free to link and cite me whenver you feel like it!