Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Because of the huge snowfalls in northern NM and southern CO, they are expecting river levels 72-83% above normal in the Rio Grande this year. Similar high levels are also expected in many other rivers. This is good news for the state overall, considering the recent droughts that have been experienced across the southwest.
[My heart still goes out to the New Mexicans up north who have had to endure massive recent snowfalls. Fortunately, there has been a great response to their predicament by the American Legion and other groups]
Because of the huge snowfalls in northern NM and southern CO, they are expecting river levels 72-83% above normal in the Rio Grande this year. Similar high levels are also expected in many other rivers. This is good news for the state overall, considering the recent droughts that have been experienced across the southwest.
[My heart still goes out to the New Mexicans up north who have had to endure massive recent snowfalls. Fortunately, there has been a great response to their predicament by the American Legion and other groups]
This is GREAT news Tim, for the whole state of New Mexico!
Sometimes I think that they well overblow the "bad news" years, however, this is a desert / arid region that needs moisture /water in the worst way every year, so this is phenomenal news for NM.
Not for the whole state. Just got an update last week for wildland fire purposes. The Southern Sacramento mountains are at 40% LESS then last year. IIRC last year around this time we were about 40% LESS then normal. That puts us around 80% or so less then normal.
If we don't get some moisture from someplace and SOON, the wildland fire danger this year is going to be unreal
Not for the whole state. Just got an update last week for wildland fire purposes. The Southern Sacramento mountains are at 40% LESS then last year. IIRC last year around this time we were about 40% LESS then normal. That puts us around 80% or so less then normal.
If we don't get some moisture from someplace and SOON, the wildland fire danger this year is going to be unreal
Thank you all for the thank yous.
Mtncat's post raises a question in my mind. Drought areas change from year to year and those deep in snow this year may be dry the next. I know that Los Alamos had a bad fire some years back. Many homes were destroyed and even more were evacuated with people coming down and living in my area. After the fire, Los Alamos required metal roofs in some areas. Have any other towns or cities imposed similar or different requirements in order to discourage fires? Is this something that we should be more conscious of?
Not for the whole state. Just got an update last week for wildland fire purposes. The Southern Sacramento mountains are at 40% LESS then last year. IIRC last year around this time we were about 40% LESS then normal. That puts us around 80% or so less then normal.
If we don't get some moisture from someplace and SOON, the wildland fire danger this year is going to be unreal
I guess I'm in the nothern Sacramentos, but though snow levels are low this year, they were very high last year. 2006 was a very wet summer followed by a snowy winter.
I guess I'm in the nothern Sacramentos, but though snow levels are low this year, they were very high last year. 2006 was a very wet summer followed by a snowy winter.
rruff, not sure wxactly where you are located or how long you have been there.
I have either lived on the mountain, was gone for a few years, or had family here for 40 years.
"Normal" if you look at the history since I've been here is we had snow on the ground from November to March from 6,500 ft elevation on up.
I can recall winters where we had as much as a foot of snow fall in an evening, and it fell on top of snow already on the ground.
I've seen people stuck in their homes for a week or more.
Last year was pretty nice but it was far from "normal"
"Normal" if you look at the history since I've been here is we had snow on the ground from November to March from 6,500 ft elevation on up.
Average snow level is 1 inch from Dec to Feb (7,000 ft), with total snow fall of 39 inches... we got more than double that last year. RUIDOSO 2 NNE, NEW MEXICO - Climate Summary
That is the snowiest spot in the area, BTW. Other spots that are drier (but still above 6500 ft) get 15-30 inches of snow on avg. It looks like snowfall is normally ~15 inches farther south, at Mountain Park, Pinion, and Mayhill. Only Cloudcroft is higher at 80 inches avg (and even some snow staying on the ground) but it is 9,000 ft also.
Huge runoff in the San Juan River drainage is manageable since the river is dammed. The Animas, with headwaters north of Silverton in the San Juan Mountains is another story. A long, slow release of snowpack is wonderful for us. If we get a warm snap with spring rains it's bad.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Snowpack
Fire Prevention
