average winter snow depth in the cusick ione area. (Colville: camp, living)

[snowmizer]

Hi, we are looking for property in the ne corner of washington to camp on at first, then build on later. We want property that gets alot of snow and stays around. From the research i have done it looks like the metaline falls,ione cusick area gets more snow then colville and kettle falls. Do any of you have first hand experience with the weather in this area in the winter? Heavy winter snowfall is what we are looking for. Thanks.

[snowmizer]

nobody?

[StealthRabbit]

From the pics I get of my friend living above Ione, you can expect plenty of snow (~3-4ft from Dec - April). You need to get some elevation (valley gets lots of winter fog and much less snow). and there is a MASSIVE difference in Climate between Cusick and Kettle Falls (different sides of a mountian range). Similar to my joint, there are 7 distinct climate zones between me and town (5 miles and 800 ft of elevation change). And town is in a much wider portion of the valley. (less wind)

BTW: Kettle Falls / Coleville is much milder and more sunny. You will find that in most of the Mtn states, AFTER the Cascades west side will be more parched (in general) and the storms will 'camp-out' most heavily on the NE corner of a Mtn range. There is probably some significant 'shearing' effect on the moisture in clouds as they roll over mtns and into higher pressure areas.

[skinem]

Haven't lived in the Cusick/Ione area but hunted for years in the fall/winter and backpacked/camped for years all over the area.

Stealth Rabbit is right--elevation makes all the difference. Metaline Falls, Cusik, Ione all get more snow than Colville and Kettle Falls. The river helps mitigate the climate around Kettle Falls and Colville is at a lower elevation in the valley.

If memory serves me, it seemed Metaline Falls area got more snow than Cusik and for sure Ione. You can get a lot of snow and cold there.

[Wickedsamiam]

It is common for Metaline Falls to get more snow than Ione. I live 500ft higher in elevation than Metaline Falls (and 3 miles north) I get more snow thanMetaline Falls. This winter there is a decent snow pack, close to twice the amount in therecent past winter, approx 4ft. I hope you find your property, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. (I have been lucky enough to go to quite a few places around the globe, so feel I can say that with some authority).

[Boxkicker]

Hey that's great....nothing like responding to a 6+ year old thread! You think they might have found it by now?