Forum Index > Trail Talk > current drought map, drought outlook map
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostThu Mar 04, 2021 9:17 pm 
Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Gil
Member
Member


Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 4057 | TRs | Pics
Gil
Member
PostFri Mar 05, 2021 7:53 am 
That is scary.

Friends help the miles go easier. Klahini
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
BeardoMcGrath
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Jan 2018
Posts: 143 | TRs | Pics
Location: Snohomish
BeardoMcGrath
Member
PostFri Mar 05, 2021 11:20 am 
That NWS map matches pretty well with areas that are above and below average for snowpack this year. Above average in WA, OR, and ID, but below average in CA, NV, UT and CO. A classic La Niņa setup!

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
gb
Member
Member


Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 6303 | TRs | Pics
gb
Member
PostFri Mar 05, 2021 12:17 pm 
California is supposed to be starting to get some snow beginning next week. Thus far SWE is 50% of normal there. Although the snowpack is near normal at Mission Ridge, it has been extremely dry a bit farther east; Yakima I think has had less than an inch of rain since the beginning of the year. Quite likely a mediocre flower season in the shrub steppe.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostFri Mar 05, 2021 12:22 pm 
Gil, yep it is scary. I'm starting to see some scientists using the word desertification, rather than drought. I guess drought implies cyclical but what they think they are seeing is not temporary but a long term trend towards greater dryness.

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Mountainfisherman
Member
Member


Joined: 26 May 2010
Posts: 121 | TRs | Pics
Mountainfisherman
Member
PostTue Mar 09, 2021 4:59 am 
Yakima has had above average precipitation by about .5 inches in Jan/Feb. Despite recent warm temps still plenty of snow lingering on Umptanum/Manastash/Clemans Mtn. Which bodes well for a decent flower season.

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostSun Mar 14, 2021 9:58 am 
"The megadrought parching 77 percent of the Western US, explained Rising temperatures and lack of rain threaten to decrease water supplies and bring more wildfires this summer and in the years to come." https://www.vox.com/2021/3/13/22324813/drought-california-snow-rain-west-colorado-wildfire-farms-water-climate-change Interesting article, but if you have been paying attention perhaps not much new in the contents

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Pyrites
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Posts: 1879 | TRs | Pics
Location: South Sound
Pyrites
Member
PostSun Mar 14, 2021 11:44 pm 
Does this week’s snow affect this?

Keep Calm and Carry On? Heck No. Stay Excited and Get Outside!
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostThu Mar 18, 2021 9:46 am 
Can't hurt.

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
BeardoMcGrath
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Jan 2018
Posts: 143 | TRs | Pics
Location: Snohomish
BeardoMcGrath
Member
PostThu Mar 18, 2021 10:27 am 
Bureau of Reclamation is projecting Lake Powell will be below 3550 ft by the end of the 2020-2021 water year, the lowest since 2005. The upshot is that it will be a good time in the next year to visit some of the lower Escalante canyons as the lake recedes.
Water Year Projections
Water Year Projections

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostMon Mar 29, 2021 7:28 pm 
Yeah, Lake Powell is dropping. Back in the late 90's I used to take the tour boat in to Rainbow Bridge from Page, strap tele skis to my pack and go up Navajo Mt. Despite my modest ski skills I thought I should attempt a ski traverse. Couch sized talus (half snow, half talus) on the Northeast Ridge persuaded me to stop, enjoy the ambience, return the way I came in. Canyons were gorgeous, views from the top mesmerizing. Did four ski trips there. Two approaching from land, two from the lake. November 2019 we were nearby and took the tour boat in. The lake had receded a lot and the dock was farther from the arch. Still an incredible place.

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Sky Hiker
Member
Member


Joined: 03 Feb 2007
Posts: 1469 | TRs | Pics
Location: outside
Sky Hiker
Member
PostThu Apr 01, 2021 5:24 am 
150% of normal snow fall in the Stevens Pass area this year that's pretty encouraging

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostThu Apr 01, 2021 10:07 am 
All good Skywalker. Checking the maps, Washington state seems by far the least impacted, most near normal, most not in drought, state in the West. I'm not the expert, and got no desire to be an angel of doom. Just passing on information that might be useful for trip planning for much of the West.

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Eric Hansen
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2015
Posts: 860 | TRs | Pics
Location: Wisconsin
Eric Hansen
Member
PostThu Jun 03, 2021 8:18 pm 
FWIW, drought monitoring and forecasts are widening and worsening YRMV Current Drought Monitor map https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu One month outlook for June https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ConditionsOutlooks/Outlooks.aspx seasonal outlook thru Labor Day (unclick the monthly, click the seasonal) https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ConditionsOutlooks/Outlooks.aspx Wildland fire outlooks also shifting https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/outlooks.htm

Off trail rambler
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Chief Joseph
Member
Member


Joined: 10 Nov 2007
Posts: 7676 | TRs | Pics
Location: Verlot-Priest Lake
Chief Joseph
Member
PostThu Jun 03, 2021 10:37 pm 
Northern Idaho received a lot of rain last May and June so as a result had very few fires and the ones that occured were small and manageable. Could be a way different story this year.

Go placidly amid the noise and waste, and remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof.
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Trail Talk > current drought map, drought outlook map
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum