RECORD SETTING SNOW SEASON
RECORD SETTING SNOW SEASON
The annual precipitation year ended June 30th and it was quite a year in the Lake Almanor basin. Snowfall was the big story of the season, with measurable snow recorded for eight consecutive months from November through June. The final snow of the season was 2 inches received on June 2, bringing the season total on the west shore area to 332 inches or just under 28 feet. That works out to 245% of the annual average.
We marveled at the snowfall from last season (2009-2010), which at 234 inches was the deepest in the past decade. However, this current season surpassed that previous level by a good eight feet. In fact, this current season now stands as the second deepest snowfall of the past century.
Snowfall records maintained by the Western Regional Climate Center near Reno indicate that our heaviest snow season on record was 1951-1952 when the basin received 362 inches (just over 30 feet). The current season takes second place, with 332 inches. The infamous 1992-1993 season comes in third for total snowfall at 295 inches (24.6 feet). What sets 1992-1993 apart is the fact that almost all of the snow arrived in three intense months (December – February), while the snow was more spread out during the other two seasons.
Most of this season’s snow was relatively dry, which made snow removal a less troublesome task. Still, the sheer depth brought considerable moisture to the area and for an extended period. Total precipitation recorded at the Prattville automated site was 1.95 inches in June, more than twice the June average. Annual total precipitation came to 46.58 inches, or 140% of average. That total is the second highest of the past decade, with the 2005-2006 season taking first place due to greater rainfall amounts.
Our cold and wet spring this year postponed the onset of the usual drying out of forest fuels. However, sunny and warm conditions now signal a return of “fire season” in the nearby areas. The basin typically experiences what amounts to be an annual drought during the summer months, with an anticipated return of autumn precipitation in about October.
