Snow Job?

[Traveler]

Utah has been in a drought for a few years.  Anyone visiting Utah and attending church usually hears in our public prayers a plea for moisture (In Utah we do not call it rain or snow but rather moisture).  Seldom do we get an inch of water from any storm.  Our reservoirs have dropped so low water has been rationed and there have been arguments over who gets even basic needs.  Lake Mead and other reservoirs are in danger of not being able to produce electricity – and bodies have been discovered that crime bosses have rid themselves of.  The LDS church lawns have been barely alive and have been mostly yellow.  Fires are common in the fall and valleys have been filled with smoke and the air dangerous for those with respiratory problems. There has been talk of recycling sewer water into the drinking water.

Our prayers are being answered in great abundance.  Currently the mountain area where I ski has received over 60 feet of snow fall so far this water year.  22 more inches and we will surpass all historical records with the most snowfall ever.  It is currently snowing like crazy today.  It looks more like a January snow fall than early possible spring weather.

It has been bitter cold skiing this year.  Often the temperature has been below zero (F) at the top of the mountains with wind over 40 mph.  This means more layers to be worn and absolutely the best skiing conditions ever.  What a great and fantastic year this has been for skiing.  I have been waist deep in powder.  Powder is the apex of skiing but if you fall in such deep powder it is impossible to get up because there is no leverage and nothing to push against that will give resistance.

Driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta there are places where the snowplow has left a wall of 15 feet or more on both sides of the roads – I have never seen anything like this since my early youth – but then I was small, and everything looked bigger.

I was on a last-minute flight to the west coast of northern California a few days ago and because it was a last-minute thing, I had to sit next to the window with noting to do but look out the window.  All the mountains were covered with snow.  There were no bare spots without snow.  The mountains have large amounts of snow.

I HAVE A PREDICTION: There is going to be a lot of flooding this spring.  Most likely the worst in decades.  Not just in the west but likely everywhere throughout the USA – West coast, Mountain west, the Fly over states and even in the East.  I am so glad we have smart people in our government that know how to make plans so weather changes will not be devastating and harmful!  I am glad weather concerns are a real priority of our government leaders and elected officials.

 

The Traveler

[laronius]

I was reading somewhere just the other day that, according to one guy, we (southwest US) were starting a new 30 year weather cycle so that moisture levels will return to like they were back in 80's and early 90's before everything started drying up. Don't know of the guy's credentials but he can't be any less qualified than your referenced politicians. Regardless, it has been a most welcome winter and spring(ish). Hopefully it doesn't jump right into summer where that snow pack just melts and floods everything like you say.

 

[Traveler]

Short recap - Saturday morning Alta ski resort reported the greatest snow fall ever and this snow year is far from over.  I have not heard anything official, but I am of the opinion that our drought here in Utah is over – at least for now.  BTW all this could mean that we will have a record wet spring – if the summer is dry we will set the stage for really bad forest fires.  For now the skiing is the greatest ever and another big snow storm will pass through this week.  🙂

 

The Traveler

[Still_Small_Voice]

I am weary of the snow in the Utah valleys.  It is time for rain now in April.  No more snow unless it is on the mountains in my opinion.

It is very good to see the Great Salt Lake filling up too.

Edited April 3, 2023 by Still_Small_Voice

[zil2]

2 hours ago, Still_Small_Voice said:

No more snow unless it is on the mountains in my opinion.

 

[Backroads]

My city, where it's at, ought not to flood, but we apparently can pick up sandbags at townhall regardless. I'm also predicting some flooding.

[Traveler]

Just a quick update - Here in Sandy Utah we are currently having a major winter storm come through.  I have over 2 feet of new snow in my front yard.  I have been clearing mine and my neighbor walks and driveways.  The snowplow left a 3 foot berm of very solid  snow and ice blocking my driveway.

Alta ski resort currently has 3 times the base of snow for skiing than we had for last year.  The record for snow fall at Alta for a year is now broken by more than 10 feet of snow.  Skiers are joking that we will be able to ski into late July.    The recent snow has a higher then usual content of water – making the snow twice as heave for shoveling or removal.  The canyon to Alta (little cottonwood) is now closed for the 3rd day in a row for avalanche control.  Never seen it closed previously for more than a day.  Mrs. Traveler took off for Florida – she has had enough.  I joked with her because he has already been to the Caribbean and Hawaii this winter – But then she has no pioneer blood and very little norther European ancestry.  

So I wonder – is climate change a prophetic sign of the times (last days)?

 

The Traveler

[zil2]

1 hour ago, Traveler said:

Skiers are joking that we will be able to ski into late July.

IMO, the weathermen have been wrong far more than usual this year.  I sometimes think maybe this is God's way of keeping weathermen humble - by making the weather less predictable.  If I'm right, instead of skiing in July, you'll be swimming in late April!  I hope not.  I really hope not.  But those entities making sandbags available are surely acting wisely.  On your side of the valley, I hope you have some sandbags (or whatever you need) available to you.  (I'm on the much safer side of the valley - as far as flooding is concerned. Of course, that statement may result in a humbling of my own, so please excuse me, I need to go repent...)

[askandanswer]

4 hours ago, Traveler said:

I have over 2 feet of new snow in my front yard. 

You have 2 feet of snow in your front yard yet you still go to Alta ski resort? (Asked from a non-skier's perspective ) 

[mordorbund]

5 hours ago, zil2 said:

IMO, the weathermen have been wrong far more than usual this year.

To be fair, the groundhog predicted it. Most cameras cut away after he darted back to his lair, but then he poked his nose back out, dashed back in, came out for a stretch, then retired back to his bed. 

[Traveler]

9 hours ago, askandanswer said:

You have 2 feet of snow in your front yard yet you still go to Alta ski resort? (Asked from a non-skier's perspective ) 

Obviously since you are a non-skier (which in Utah means a snow boarder) – I ski Alta to avoid boarders (that are not allowed at Alta) that are everywhere else. It would appear that I am a boarderphobic hard core winter traditionalist.   Since you are from Australia you may not realize that the snow in the Utah mountains is 3 times less dense (water content) that most other places – making the snow in the Utah mountains the best snow on earth for skiing (and boarding).

Here in Utah the usual snow we get in April and May are usually mixed with rain (sleet) that freezes the buds on flowering fruit trees but this spring it hasn’t gotten warm enough for trees to bud so – so far the fruit is safe.  All the flowers that were planted on temple square for conference ended up under a foot or so of snow.

And for @zil2 – My home is positioned on high ground (granite) just above the main Wasatch fault on the East side – I should be safe from both floods and earthquakes.   Much of the valley is in danger of liquification if there is a major quake.  If you are put out and I survive – let me know and I will assist as much as I am able.

 

The Traveler

[zil2]

41 minutes ago, Traveler said:

My home is positioned on high ground (granite) just above the main Wasatch fault on the East side – I should be safe from both floods and earthquakes. 

Glad to hear it!

41 minutes ago, Traveler said:

Much of the valley is in danger of liquification if there is a major quake.  If you are put out and I survive – let me know and I will assist as much as I am able.

I hear the spot I'm in will receive less damage than most - some sort of rock under us.  Of course, I haven't researched that myself, so I'm taking the neighbor's word for it...  If needed, I'll see if @mirkwood has room in his Prius for an extra passenger - we can both come over...  (Or if his Prius can't make it, I'll offer the three extra seats in my CR-V. )

[askandanswer]

On 4/3/2023 at 10:57 PM, zil2 said:

Meanwhile, zil crawls out from under her rock, looks around, thinks, I'm so glad I live under a rock, crawls back under the rock, and returns to living in unreality.

 

5 hours ago, zil2 said:

 

I hear the spot I'm in will receive less damage than most - some sort of rock under us.  

Rocks on top and rocks underneath? Your posts are really rocking these days @zil

[mirkwood]

19 hours ago, zil2 said:

Glad to hear it!

I hear the spot I'm in ill receive less damage than most - some sort of rock under us.  Of course, I haven't researched that myself, so I'm taking the neighbor's word for it...  If needed, I'll see if @mirkwood has room in his Prius for an extra passenger - we can both come over...  (Or if his Prius can't make it, I'll offer the three extra seats in my CR-V. )

Yes zil, your neighborhood is on very solid ground.  It will take an 8 or better to cause significant damage (per U o fU geological department study.)

 

Prius...as if...

Edited April 7, 2023 by mirkwood

[zil2]

23 minutes ago, mirkwood said:

Yes zil, your neighborhood is on very solid ground.  It will take an 8 or better to cause significant damage (per U o fU geological department study.)

Thank you!  Yet another way in which our neighborhood is amazing.

24 minutes ago, mirkwood said:

Prius...as if...

[Traveler]

Quick update.  I have been able to get up the canyon to go skiing.  Yesterday it was like an expedition to Antarctica in winter.  The top was so windy it was hard to see and there were snowdrifts on the runs.  The road to Alta is something else.  There are places that looks to have had an avalanche in excess of 20 feet covering the road.  All the crevasses on the south side of Little Cottonwood canyon had avalanches (mostly small).  There is still an avalanche covering the main road to Alta and only the bypass road is open.

This is the last week that Alta will be open and yet there has been no spring skiing.  I suspect that Alta is closing because no new passes are being sold – so they will not be making any money staying open.  It certainly is not because of lack of snow.  It looks like more snow is coming and we will likely reach 900 inches of snow at Alta for the snow year.  

 

The Traveler