Dry November wipes out October surplus

By Rod Hill on 2014-12-03


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wet October has been followed by an opposite trend in November and a dry start to December. It may surprise you to know that Portland is now below normal in total Water Year precipitation, starting October 1st. Does this mean we need rain? Not really, but Mt. Hood resorts likely would love to see a few big snow storms. Cold air on the mountain is keeping roughly a foot of snow on the ground when you get to the upper slopes. (The photo shows a rainy Timberline Lodge on November 25th. Ski resorts lost much of the early snowpack prior to Thanksgiving weekend.)

Here are the moisture numbers for Portland: October was wet with nearly 6 inches of rainfall, almost 200% of normal, while November finished dry, with 2.99", just 53% of normal. The combination has led to our one time surplus of moisture running out. My winter forecast continues to call for precipitation being within 4" of normal, either slightly dry or on the wet side.

In the short term, a mild southwest flow pattern is expected next week, keeping lows in the 40s and pushing highs into the 50s with several good shots of passing rain. The news does not look great for Mt. Hood resorts. The moist southwest weather pattern will likely keep snow levels near or above 6,000 feet, bringing rain to resort base areas.

Meteorologist Rod Hill, follow me @

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