The week that kills the season?

I'm sure you've all seen it: <br><br>Sunday night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain. Snow level 5000 feet. Southwest wind in the passes 10 to 15 mph.<br><br>Martin luther king jr day: Rain likely. Snow level 5000 feet. Afternoon pass temperatures in the lower 30s.<br><br>Monday night: Rain likely. Snow level 7000 feet.<br><br>Tuesday: Rain likely. Snow level 7000 feet.<br><br>Tuesday night: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Wednesday: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Wednesday night: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Thursday: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Thursday night: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Friday: Rain likely. Snow level 6500 feet.<br><br>Yes, I'm sure there'll be some higher altitude stuff that will be fun this spring (meaning March only, at this rate), but if this plays out as it looks, will it kill the lift season everywhere but Baker? Very depressing.

The upside to all that rain that it will consolidate the weak layers in the snow pack. (ducking and running)

Are you sure there is really a "season" to kill?

I am hoping for some east wind in the passes - come on east wind!

Everywhere but Baker?? I venture to guess that even Mt. Baker ski area will be closed after this week. Or at least not worth your time. The N. Cascades may get the heaviest rains, with 2-3 inches on Tues. alone.

...Season killing is now well underway ???<br><br>Let us pray...

No need for that luau any more - snowpack safety reset is in progress. We urgently need a snow dance instead.

Who wants to have a ski bonfire? I can supply a few pair! ;D

Snow appears to be accumulating at the Rainy and Washington pass sites right now, and still well below freezing... Maybe that corner of the Cascades will be spared some of the devastating rain... ???

It looks like the East slopes may also get some freezing rain. Yummy. One thing is for sure - this will make an interesting snowpack. A few inches of freezing rain at the passes to sit over some lower density snow? A few inch crust is looking likely. The amount of rain we are supposed to get in the next two days is comparable to that in the flooding two falls ago. Except two falls ago, we got two of these storms within one week.

 The amount of rain we are supposed to get in the next two days is comparable to that in the flooding two falls ago.

<br><br>arrgh, not again!...looks possible that large sections of the North Cascades Hwy (and other mountain access roads such as the Mtn Loop Hwy) could be destroyed by flooding/landslides (and snowslides) again &gt; [oh wait, a large section of the Mtn Loop Hwy has remained closed since it was wiped-out by flooding in Fall '03) ]. Could be an interesting week in terms of flooding/erosion.<br><br><br>

Baker ski hill is closed.

Steven's also closed today, probably because the forcast kept so many away and with the freezing rain they might have had a hard time keeping the equipement running smoothly.<br><br>At least for the pass areas and other areas that have seen cooling due to easterlies driven by low west side pressure and high east side pressure, maybe that can help reduce the amount of snowpack melting. If this keeps up for this sequence it might help preserve some base for some sort of recovery.

Though the optimism is appreciated, the easterlies likely won't last past tonight according to forecasts, and with snow levels at 8,000-9,000 feet, nothing will be immune. The question is, if Snoqualmie, in a fit of generosity ;D, decides to refund some cash to pass holders (I know they won't but let me fantasize, please), should I buy skins or an mp3 player?<br>This rain makes me sound like Red Sox fans pre-'04, "There's always next year. Hope springs eternal."<br><br>I have at least one pair of skis ripe for burning.

Snoqualmie should have about 1.5" of solid ice covering the hill. I would say it could be a while before that melts thru. I bet it looks like a candy covered snow cone up there right now. Now as for Crystal....... &gt;<br>

Two days of 40-degree rain should do it. &gt;

andyski - get the mp3 player, on the gamble that the skins can wait until next season. Then the rain may turn to snow just to spite you!

Well, at least Snoqualmie will have a nice ice crust to shield off the rain for awhile, but Crystal was in the 40s all day so their snow base will be in worse shape. The Crystal cam already is showing dirt around the lift area. <br>The cold air at Snoqualmie and Stevens held out until late this afternoon which should help a little mimize the melting. The part that will kill them is where the creeks cross the slopes cuz this run-off takes a lot of snow with it....<br><br>

 The part that will kill them is where the creeks cross the slopes cuz this run-off takes a lot of snow with it....<br>

Slope-wide kickers will easily solve this problem! <br>

Two days of 40-degree rain should do it. &gt;

<br><br>and if not the next pineapple express this coming weekend

Good news? Almost six inches new - W.E. at Paradise today and nearly 5" at Stevens. Whooppee.