March snowfall keeps cascades snowpack above average despite dry start to the year

It was a snowy weekend for the Cascades. Timberline Lodge reported more than 2.5 feet in the past 72 hours and Mt. Hood Meadows reported just under 1.5 feet in the past 2 days.

Back in January, we had a long stretch of sunny days and a record dry streak. Even though it was a dry month, we reported an above-normal snowpack for all basins.

The Cascades got a good start on the season at the end of 2024, which prompted some resorts to open early.

As of yesterday, March 16, we are still above average for almost all of the basins.

For example, the Willamette basin is at 114% of normal compared to 124% of normal in January, only losing 10% in those two months.

The only basin to fall below normal is the Hood-Sandy-Lower Deschutes basin, which is at 88% when it was at 114% in January.

When compared to last year at this time, things are looking very good.

The Hood-Sandy-Lower Deschutes had a deeper snowpack last year, while all the other basins are in better shape this year versus 2024.

“So as long as it doesn’t melt out too quickly, we should be able to refill most of the reservoirs and, we should be able to have good irrigation water allotments for farmers,” said State Climatologist Larry O’Neill.

He says this sets us up in good position as we approach wildfire season.

STORY: https://katu.com/news/local/march-snowfall-keeps-cascades-snowpack-above-average-despite-dry-start-to-the-year-timberline-mt-hood-meadows-ski-resorts
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:

KATU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katunews
KATU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KATUNews
Subscribe to KATU on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDTerxNU_gvCWLkIPkqghA/?sub_confirmation=1

Daily News Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtHM_AbvnEUkd_YRTlZpGKkbczT5w062

For more information, visit https://katu.com/

Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:

Email us: newstips@katu.com
Call the Newsroom: 503.231.4222

KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.

#KATU #Katu2abc #Portland #Oregon #localnews #oregonnews

Author: KATU News
Go to Source

News post in at: March 19, 2025, 3:00 am.

Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News.Science – News Science