Snow levels low, La Niña still predicted
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If the scenery around the valley seems a little less like a winter wonderland than usual this time of year, you’re not alone. Low snowpack levels in the Mission Mountain range could mean low stream levels and a threat of drought later this year unless early predictions for a La Niña winter, which is when colder-than-normal air meets above-average-precipitation, come true.
November was chilly in the region, but above-average temperatures remained steady throughout the majority of December.
The Mission Mountain range has two weather stations that measure snow levels.
According to the North Fork of the Jocko station, snow levels are currently 39 inches, whereas last season at this time the area measured 77 inches.
Along the northern end of the Mission range is the Moss Peak weather station, which currently has 52 inches of snow, compared to 94 inches at this time last year.
“It’s just about twice as much last year,” meteorologist Chris Gibson said.
Gibson works with the National Weather Service in Missoula, and says the predicted La Niña weather is currently active, and that it is still likely most of the mountains in Northwest Montana will end the winter with above-normal snowpack levels.
“The weather system that’s moving through right now is a strong westerly flow, a typical La Niña pattern,” Gibson added. “I anticipate things to pick up, which bodes well for the water supply next spring. December was dry, but I think we’ll make up for it.”
Up at Blacktail Mountain Ski Resort in Lakeside part owner and general manager Steve Spencer says snow levels are lower than last year, but runs have been completely open since the Dec. 10, while many local ski resorts are still waiting to be 100 percent open. “We’re a little less than last year, but we’re closer than most,” Spencer said. “We’ve had some of the best storms here.”
A good portion of their snow came in November, he says, when a band of snow dropped 28 inches of fresh powder.
“We’ve also had several 5 to 8-inch storms,” Spencer added. “I guess it was our turn.”
With some of the highest snow amounts around, Spencer says the crowds have been up, and in the snow business you just have to take what comes.
