Northern San Juan

Weather

CSAS storm #28 is probably not yet done, but here are a few #s in the meantime. Chris Landry is examining the dust layers in Colorado's snowpack via a 1000-mile tour of the state. He'll be back in the office later this week. Storm data from the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies: SASP = Swamp Angel Study Plot (11,050', in sub-alpine meadow) SBSP = Senator Beck Study Plot (12,200', on alpine bench) PTSP = Putney Study Plot (12,325 'free air' site) As of 0730 hrs MST (0830 MDT) today, Monday, April 25, 2011 (all our stations and data remain on MST): Current HS @ SASP = 2.32 m Water Year Total Precip @ SASP = 905 mm (since October 1, 2010) Barometric Pressure @ SASP = 29.92" Winter 10/11 Storm #28 in progress (Storm >= 12 mm HNW, no break in precipitation >12 hours) Storm precip began: 0800 hrs MST Saturday, April 23 (DOY 113) Storm precip ended: not yet? Storm Duration = 48 hrs so far Storm total HNW at SASP = 39mm Max 1 Hour Precip Intensity = 3 mm/hour @ 2200 Saturday (4/23); also intense 1600-1700 Sunday evening Max gain in HS at SASP during storm = 31 cm Max gain in HS at SBSP during storm = 33 cm (wind effected) Wind behavior at PTSP: Storm began with winds from the South most of Sat, 4/23; switching to the West, SW for most of Sun 4/24 (DOY 114). Winds have been from the NW since 0200 this a.m. (4/25, DOY 115). Peak gust so far occurred Sunday 4/24 at 18.1m/s (40.4 mph). Overall avg hourly winds have stayed below 10m/s for majority of storm, increasing as of 0500 this a.m. (4/25).