My bad...just got an e-mail report from 49.

49° North Mountain Resort
It's Snowing!!!!!!!!!!!


It is currently snowing at the summit of Chewelah Peak. This is the first sign of winter seen at 49° North Mountain Resort this fall and we are elated. We hope this means winter is just around the corner.

We've already received some good news form the National Weather Service. According to the National Weather Service, the Northwest Region is in for a wetter than normal winter as the result of La Niña conditions.

"The recent SST forecasts for the Niño 3.4 region range from ENSO-neutral to La Niña. Nearly all of the dynamical ENSO models forecast the continuing development of La Niña during the next couple of months, and several of the statistical models also indicate the continuation of La Niña conditions through the end of the year. Therefore, current atmospheric conditions (stronger than average easterlies over the west-central Pacific) and observed oceanic trends indicate that La Niña conditions will further develop and possibly strengthen during the next 3 months.

Based on current conditions in the tropical Pacific, the most recent model outlooks, and on results from historical studies on the effects of cold episodes, wetter than normal conditions are expected over Indonesia and drier than normal conditions are anticipated over the central equatorial Pacific during September - November. During this period, potential impacts over the contiguous United States include wetter than normal conditions over the Pacific Northwest and drier than normal conditions over the southwestern states."

[Information extracted from El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion.]

Other factors working in the resort’s favor are excellent summer slope maintenance which allows the resort to operate on minimal snowfall, skilled snow grooming operators who maximize snow retention in key areas, and the ski patrol’s judicious opening and closure policy in order to maintain the quality of snow on any given trail during the operating season.

sprinkling on top of 49 again tonight, too...

Nice dusting (about 4") on Hood yesterday!!

Speaking of NY, i just got my season pass for Whiteface. talking to people up there it is already gettin pretty cold, dropping close to or below freezing at night in lake placid. Maybe we'll be boarding on thanksgiving this year after all!!