Understanding Snow Base Counts - Snowboarding Forum

Alt_Reality · 11-24-2010, 12:33 AM

Was perusing the ridiculous storm totals at Sierra and noticed that the base levels are significantly under the reported total that dropped. Why does the 7 day snowfall count at the summit = 85" but the base depth is still only 67"? Doesn't seem like it would have evaporated that quickly.

Sierra-at-Tahoe® | Snow & Weather Report

jeri534 · 11-24-2010, 12:51 AM

because powder will consolidate after being skied on

legallyillegal · 11-24-2010, 03:41 AM

also, they lie.

Triple8Sol · 11-24-2010, 04:42 AM

Snow packs down, blows away, melts, etc...

wrathfuldeity · 11-24-2010, 05:02 AM

base = where the bottom is above the dirt,
snowfall = potential for fresh, but you got to pay attention to other things like... rh, temps, moisture content of the recent past...few hours or day or two.

gjsnowboarder · 11-24-2010, 08:55 AM

Summit and base totals will differ because typically more snow falls at higher elevations then lower ones. At my mountain we might get only 4 inches fresh at the bottom but at the top there will be 12 inches. Typically most mountains will also report a mid-mountain depth so you get a good idea of the overall mountain snow depth. That measurement is taken from an unpacked, unskied area.

Method · 11-24-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legallyillegal

also, they lie.

QFT

12323543536344563

mallrat · 11-24-2010, 03:18 PM

You also need to think of it as a snow ball. When you pick it up, it's light and fluffy and contains lots of air. Once you pack it down and make it hard enough to throw, it's compressed and solid.

Grooming does the same thing. When the cats go over the snow it packs down and performs a base

linvillegorge · 11-24-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legallyillegal

also, they lie.

This. Breck is notorious for it. The Breck locals will defend them but fuck that. I've been on that mountain enough times when they were reporting 6-8" when there was a little pow off the 6 chair but the rest of the mountain was essentially dust on crust. According to Breck's measurements I should be tripping over my dick.

Loveland on the other hand is notorious for under reporting.

Beatlesfan888 · 11-24-2010, 09:06 PM

yeah your better off calling and talking to someone. I know the website has told me totally differant stuff than an actual person before

11-24-2010, 12:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Alt_Reality Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 35	Understanding Snow Base Counts Was perusing the ridiculous storm totals at Sierra and noticed that the base levels are significantly under the reported total that dropped. Why does the 7 day snowfall count at the summit = 85" but the base depth is still only 67"? Doesn't seem like it would have evaporated that quickly. Sierra-at-Tahoe® \| Snow & Weather Report

11-24-2010, 03:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
legallyillegal -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: fuck Snowboarding Posts: 4,446	also, they lie. __________________ THERE ARE SPECIFIC REASONS AS TO WHY I AM MORE LOCAL THAN YOU GOD IS DONUT

11-24-2010, 04:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Triple8Sol Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 3,686 Blog Entries: 1	Snow packs down, blows away, melts, etc... __________________ 14 NeverSummer Proto HD . 13 Never Summer Cobra . 12 Gnu Rider's Choice C2PTX 13 Now IPO . 12 K2 Formula . 11 K2 Formula 13 NB x 686 580

11-24-2010, 05:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
wrathfuldeity Resident poet Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bham Posts: 2,699	base = where the bottom is above the dirt, snowfall = potential for fresh, but you got to pay attention to other things like... rh, temps, moisture content of the recent past...few hours or day or two. __________________

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11-24-2010, 12:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
jeri534 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 393	because powder will consolidate after being skied on

11-24-2010, 08:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
gjsnowboarder Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 539	Summit and base totals will differ because typically more snow falls at higher elevations then lower ones. At my mountain we might get only 4 inches fresh at the bottom but at the top there will be 12 inches. Typically most mountains will also report a mid-mountain depth so you get a good idea of the overall mountain snow depth. That measurement is taken from an unpacked, unskied area.

11-24-2010, 03:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
mallrat Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 105	You also need to think of it as a snow ball. When you pick it up, it's light and fluffy and contains lots of air. Once you pack it down and make it hard enough to throw, it's compressed and solid. Grooming does the same thing. When the cats go over the snow it packs down and performs a base

11-24-2010, 09:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Beatlesfan888 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NH Posts: 133	yeah your better off calling and talking to someone. I know the website has told me totally differant stuff than an actual person before