December Update

I have updated the news, conditions and access, and monthly prospects Web pages for December. In short, December is the first month of full winter operations and snow is present almost everywhere in the NP. All the entrances are closed at the boundary except for the southwest (Nisqually) entrance where snow is present at Longmire and the road to Paradise is controlled at the gate just east of Longmire and at the Nisqually bridge if snow chains are required.

In addition I have updated the four blog entries on snow, in list just before this post. There is some overlap with each of them but they also each focus on a different part of winter weather in Mt. Rainier NP. I also wanted to consolidate them from the last three years of these posts, and can then add new future versions of these which better present the information.

And lastly, the suite of (8) Web pages on the laws governing the NPS and Mt. Rainier NP is almost done with only two of the eight to go. I'm not sure why I researched and produced them except for my own information and knowledge and found they might be of interest to readers here to understand the history of laws, regulations and policies relating to the NP.

I've also added recent entries on snowmobiles and my todo list of Web pages for the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide. I don't have a schedule with the items and often several are always in production so I can have a variety of things to do. Otherwise, that's it, and you're always welcome to send me e-mail with your questions, suggestions or comments.

Snow sites

I've written about snow data, and some information about snow sites. Here I'd like to write about who to find addtional data about the snow sites and other snow sites operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service National Water and Climate Center, or NWCC.

First, the NRCS is the agency in the US government with the mandate to operate snow sites. Other agencies can operate similar sites for specific purposes for the agencies, eg. NWS or USCE, or its customers, eg. USGS, but the NRCS is the agency with the broad scope to assess the snow and water resources of the areas in the western US, namely the mountain ranges of the western states.

In the Puget Sound and Cascace Mountains in Washington the NRCS operates an extensive network of sites. These sites are located at or above elevations where snow is usually permanent through the winter season after any early season snowmelts. This is usually about the 2,500-3,000 foot elevation.

This is due to several reasons, but most of which is the dynamic weather in western Washington where you have to operate weather data collection sites with real-time telemetry through the extreme ranges of temperatures. This is difficult between 1,000 and 2,500 feet elevation because of the changes of temperatures and rain or snow where thawing and freezing are difficult to operate field sensoers, data collection instruments and real-time telemetry equipment.

It's easier to collect snow data once the seasonal snow is present and the temperatures are consistently near or below freezing where thawing isn't a significant problem through the winter season. It seems backward but practical experience shows it's true, and why there is a lack of snow data sites below 2,500 feet elevation. These sites are usually observartion sites instead of instrumented sites, usually operated by the NWS or state or local agencies.

The other reason is that you want to know the snowfall and snowpack as high in basin as realistically possible to colllect. This provides the range of snow data from the upper most to the lowest elevation for water resources management of basin. This can only be done by the NRCS. That said, below at the sites in and around Mt. Rainier NP.

The first is the site called, but actually southeast of, Paradise. The second is east of the NP boundary west of Mowich Lake. The third is the site just east of the NP boundary on highway 410 at Cayuse Pass.

These sites will provide you a good picture of the snow in Mt. Rainier NP, where you can data all the data for the site. You can locate them on the map of weather sites, see blue tags.

Snow data II

Water Year 2010 Graph for PARADISE SNOTEL in Washington

Updated 4/23/09 and 11/28/10 from review of latest data and graph, see note below.

Above is the graph for the precipitation and snow water equivalent of snow for the Paradise SNOTEL site operated by the NRCS. I wanted to show folks what these folks do and what data they provide.

There are different types of snow data which can be confusing to readers and where it's easy to misunderstand the numbers cited in the literature, magazines and newspapers. These are snowfall, snowpack and snow water equivalent.

The term snowfall is obvious. It's the snow that falls measured in inches. This where the NPS publishes the annual figures (through 2007 - PDF). It's the most often cited statistic about the snow at Mt. Rainier NP. The data is usually determined at a site or from a collector, usually read daily.

The term snowpack is also obvious. It's the snow on the ground, again measured in inches (depth). This data, shown for the Paradise site, is also from a site either with marked poles or pressure sensors. This number changes during the season from a variety of reason, including new snowfall, snowmelt to runoff, ablation, compaction and melting-refreezing from pressure.

This is often the snow collected at and transmitted from remote sites in the NRCS's SNOTEL network of sites. It's often the easiest to collect and transmit, but it also requires calibration to be useful for other purposes, namely the snow water equivalent.

This term isn't so obvious and is defined as the equivalent of inches of water for a specific snowpack. This is where they visit the remote sites and take snow samples from the depth to the soil and then measure the depth (snowpack) and weight (as water). This is then converted to an equivalent water to snow, in inches.

This number determines the density of the snow, meaning the number of inches of water per foot of snow (or the reverse for other calculations). Usually dry snow is about 2-4 inches of water per foot of snow. Wet snow is 6 or more inches per foot. Mt. Rainier normally get wet to very wet snow where the Rocky Mountains get dry to very dry snow.

This number determines the amount of runoff in water is in the snowpack. It's important for water managers when modelling and projecting spring snowmelt into reservoirs for reservoir management and for river basin water resources management. This work usually starts in January, the beginning of the permanent snowpack (meaning now sudden severe rain-on-snow events) and goes through the final snowmelt in June-July when it's gone from at or below about 6,000 feet elevation.

The graph has been updated and has the following paragraph

You can see the SWE for 2011 is above average for this year along with the annual precipitation. Occasionally you will see the trend of the two lines differ for awhile. This is often due to field surverys to get new snow depth and density data, and a recalibration of the telemetry data posted to the Web. Snow (field) surverys are usually monthly.

Anyway, that's the lesson for the day. And you can find these sites on the map of weather sites.

Snow data

2011 Water Year Graph for Paradise SNOTEL, Washington

Above is the winter 2010-11 snow data for the NRCS' Paradise SNOTEL site, southwest of Paradise. This is the snow-water equivalent (SWE), meaning the inches of water of the snow. The depth on the ground is found at the Website. This is what water resources managers use to assess the water of the river basins and the area.

What is missing from the snow data is the snow elevation, the lowest elevation is at or is persistent. You have to use other snow/weather sites with their elevation to get a general, although not necessarily accurate, geographical picture. This is because the snow elevation has many factors where snow either sticks and then melts or persists.

Something to remember is the difference between snowfall and snowpack. This is kinda' obvious but often mistaken or misused with snow data. Snowfall is the total snow of all the snow storms at a given date/time through the winter. Snowpack is the depth of snow on the ground at a given location and date/time. These numbers will differ as snow on the ground melts, ablates, or compacts from melting and refreezing.

Snowfall is used to record the total snow and precipitation through the winter and snowpack is used to record the available water when it melts in the spring or from rain-on-snow events during the winter. Usually snowpack is about half of the snowfall, but this varys during the season and between years. Just something to remember when someone talks about it.

I will be updating this post with links to snow reports and other information when it becomes available. The NRCS doesn't issue snow reports until January (January to June).

Weather Information

One of the most important factors when planning your trip to Mt. Rainier National Park is the obvious, the weather. To first-time and even the occasional visitors, but especially long-time and frequent visitors, it's important to know the weather in Mt. Rainier NP is so dynamic that forecasts are at best just that, best guesses, and even the latest forecast is only a close proximity of reality. It's the old adage of weather folks here, "Mt. Rainier makes its own weather."

So, it's the normal "be prepared for the extremes." But that said, recent data and forecast is a place to start to plan your visit, and this entry will provide some resources to find the most recent weather information and forecasts. These will be listed as Websites where you can search for the specific site(s) and data along with some general weather data.

When you get close to your visit to Mt. Rainier NP, the first place to start is the current weather and latest forecasts, which are explained in the book Northwest Mountain Weather. After that, you need some on-line resources with weather data, information and forecasts, which are as follows.

NOAA-NWS Cascade Mountain Forecast
NRSC Washington Snotel sites
NWAC Weather Center Mountain Data
USGS Mt. Rainier NP area Weather Sites

There are many more on-line government and commercial resources for weather data and information on or around Mt. Rainier NP, but the ones above will give you a good idea of what to expect and get the latest data and forecasts. The next thing is to understand are the seasons, especially if you plan to be there between late fall and early summer.

This is because it's not about the normal seasonal late spring to early fall weather when the temperatures are usually more moderate and somewhat more predictable, meaning it won't get too cold except at higher elavations in the backcountry. This is shown in the average monthly temperatures for Longmire, Paradise and Ohanapecosh.

At the bottom of the post are tables with additonal temperature data for Longmire and Paradise. This data are the average high and low temperatures and the extremes of high and low temperatures, along with the average precipitation and precipitation as snowfall, which is the precipitation related to the temperatures, meaning when cold enough for rain to fall as snowfall.

This can occur at anytime of the year, but not normally late spring to early fall and not always from early fall to late spring. This means it can get cold enough to snow anytime during the year and warm enough to rain anytime during the winter. This is seen in the rain as snowfall and snow water equivalent, the latter being snow reduced to water and converted to equivalent precitation.

What does all this mean? You have to bring clothes to be dry and warm anytime of the year, lighter in the late spring to early fall and heavier early fall to late spring.


Longmire Ranger Station

Latitude: 46 degrees, 45 minutes north
Longitude: 121 degrees, 49 minutes west
Elevation: 2,762 feet

Month	Average high	Average low	Warmest ever	Coldest ever	Average rain	Average snow
JAN	36	24	60	-9	10.8	48.4
FEB	40	26	64	-8	8.9	37.6
MAR	44	28	73	-1	8.1	32.2
APR	53	32	83	12	4.9	9.0
MAY	62	37	95	21	4.0	0.7
JUN	66	43	95	28	3.6	Trace
JUL	75	47	105	35	1.4	0
AUG	74	47	100	33	1.6	0
SEP	68	43	97	28	3.9	Trace
OCT	57	38	88	17	8.6	1.4
NOV	45	31	72	-3	11.5	14.4
DEC	39	28	60	-1	13.7	34.0

Paradise Ranger Station

Latitude: 46 degrees, 47 minutes north
Longitude: 121 degrees, 44 minutes west
Elevation: 5,550 feet

Month	Average high	Average low	Warmest ever	Coldest ever	Average rain	Average snow
JAN	33	21	62	-14	14.5	117.6
FEB	35	22	62	-12	10.6	88.7
MAR	37	22	65	-2	10.4	98.6
APR	44	27	70	2	6.7	54.1
MAY	50	32	88	14	4.4	21.3
JUN	56	37	86	13	4.7	4.3
JUL	64	44	87	20	1.7	0.3
AUG	63	43	92	24	2.6	Trace
SEP	57	39	89	18	6.9	5.2
OCT	48	33	79	2	12.0	22.0
NOV	41	27	78	-11	14.5	64.9
DEC	34	22	62	-20	16.6	105.1

That's all for now.

Thanksgiving

Photo Fri. Nov. 19th. 1+ ft of snow on road Tuesday 23rd.

Update Tuesday November 23rd.--The weather changed significantly cold and snow over the last weekend and cold subfreezing weather is prevalent throughout the Puget Sound and expected to last through Wednesday before warming Thanksgiving Day and into the weekend. But the cold and snow will continue at Mt. Rainier where snow is almost everywhere in the NP, with over a foot at Longmire and over 4 feet at Paradise.

This means while the NPS will make every effort to clear the road from Longmire to Paradise and the parking lot, it may well be later in the morning early in the week and providing no new snow by Thanksgiving, near normal Thanksgiving Day and into the weekend. You can still enjoy the snow and place, just be ready for really cold (subfreezing) weather and snow.

Original post.--So, you live in the Puget Sound area or are travelling here for the holidays, and you have the time or want to take the time to visit Mt. Rainier NP. The first and obvious question is, how do I get there? Locals already know and visitors guide or information service at hotels can provide the information. You can also get the latest information on everything Cascade or Olympic Mountains for the USFS lands and NPS national parks at the USFS-NPS ORIC.

This is important because once winter settles in, which it has already with an early snow in late October that didn't melt and more snow this week (Nov. 18-21) leaving 3-4 feet of snow above the 5,000 feet elevation and less down to about a foot at 3,000 feet elevation. In short, expect snow and enjoy it. With only one entrance open to inside the NP (Nisqually entrance to Longmire and Paradise), you're very limited to that road and activities along it.

There are two other entrances, the Mowich Lake and Carbon River entrances in the northwest quadrant. Both of these entrances are closed at the NP boundary and entrance, respectively. The Mowich Lake road from the boundary to the lake and campground have snow and the Carbon River doesn't but expect to encounter snow quickly once off the valley trail to Ipsut Creek campground.

That said, you can get an overview of the area to and around Mt. Rainier NP as well as a description of the roads, access, conditions and activities, for which the latest is also available via a map. The road to the Nisqually entrance has quite a few lodges and motels from Elbe to the entrance and mostly near Ashford.

So, you've decided and you're on the road, what's next? Well, expect a wait and maybe a cancellation of access to Paradise. The former is normal during winter and the latter is rare on weekends and holidays as the NPS tries to clear the road to Paradise. You can get more extensive information on winter in the NP with a map of the general information.

The road between Longmire and Paradise is controlled at a gate just east of Longmire. It opens to uphill traffic after the snow is cleared from the parking lot at Paradise and the road down to the gate and Longmire. This usually happens about 10 am. The gate closes to uphill traffic at 4-5 pm during the winter. In addition all people without an overnight winter camping permit at Paradise (specific parking area) are required to leave nightly.

You can not camp in vehicles overnight at Paradise

So, you're there, or at least waiting in line with the other going to Paradise (always loved those words, "road to Paradise"), what's there to do? Well, easy, winter. Ok, more please. The only facilities are the visitors center which is open 10 am to 5 pm (all four days of this holiday. The snowplay area does not open until there is at least 5 feet of snow at Paradise (not usually during Thanksgiving Day holiday). Otherwise, there is just the beauty of the mountain and NP.

In the end, it's a great road trip if you want snow and Mt. Rainier. Well worth the experience and memory if you don't get there or to snow very often. I can only add to drive carefully, especially if you don't have much experience driving in snow, and go prepared for the trip, the wait at the gate and the trip up to and down from Paradise.

Have a good and safe trip and enjoy the mountain and NP.

Snowmobiles

As much as some would not like to see and more so hear snowmobiles in Mt. Rainier NP, there are places where they are allowed to share the road with other winter travellers. As noted on the NPS Web page (near bottom), you can use a snowmobile as follows.

"In the southwest corner of the park, snowmobiles are permitted for 6.5 miles along the Westside Road from its junction with the main park road as far as Round Pass. Beyond Round Pass, the Westside Road is closed to snowmobile use. Snowmobiles are also permitted on all the road loops of Cougar Rock Campground. The campground is closed to overnight use during winter and the roadway is left unplowed. Contact a park ranger at the Longmire Museum for maps and additional snowmobile information."

A word of note.--The Westside Road is blocked at the Fish Creek trailhead just past Dry Creek. It is not advisable to travel beyond the barriers across Fish Creek at the trailhead and on to the second crossing of Fish Creek if the conditions aren't reasonable for snowmobiles. The trail/road between the crossing is often damaged by floods and not maintained beyond a basic 4WD road at best.

"On the north side of the park, no ranger station is open in the winter. The US Forest Service District Office in Enumclaw provides information and maps for White River, Carbon River, and Mowich Lake areas. For more information, call the USFS District Office in Enumclaw at (360)825-6585. Highway 410 is closed near its junction with Crystal Mountain Ski Area road, at the North Park Boundary.

Snowmobiles are permitted on the 12-mile section of unplowed road from the North Park Boundary on Highway 410 to the White River Campground. Snowmobiles may not continue on Hwy 410 south of the White River Road turnoff. They are also prohibited from proceeding beyond the closure at the White River Campground road junction towards Sunrise. Snowmobiles must stay on the road corridor; they are not allowed to proceed beyond the campground towards Glacier Basin. Be aware of avalanche danger and the Mount Rainier weather forecast.

In the southeast corner of the park snowmobiling is allowed on the Stevens Canyon Road from the Stevens Canyon Entrance to the road tunnel at Box Canyon.

Wilderness permits, required for all backcountry camping, and climbing registration cards are available at the north boundary arch on Highway 410 or by self registration at the Ohanapecosh Ranger Station."

Personally I could do without them but there are places there are useful and helpful. I only remind snowmobilers, as they already know, to follow the rules, stay on the allowed roads and share the road appropriately especially in areas of limited view or in adverse weather. Those of use on foot, snowshoes or skies aren't as quick or fast.

The To Do List

Well, this weekend I did my usual list of things to do with the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide, and I realized over time this list never shrinks, whether it's just small things or bigger project things, and it's only grown to three-plus pages of items and notes. These things fall into several catagories. The on-going items, often the routine (eg. monthly updates and reports), the Web page(s) work in progress, the bigger projects, eg. history projects, and the more longer term things, producing the on-line book.

As visitors to the photo guide have seen, and keep seeing, some of the things are clearly labelled as "Forthcoming" or "In Preparation" which are usually on the first page of the list but often will take a few weeks or longer to finish. But there is a long list of items behind those or within current Web pages as I do my walk-through to update or add to Web pages or add whole new Web pages.

That said, you can read the list of photo guide plans and send me your comments, ideas, interests, needs, etc. for the photo guide. I'll have my crack staff of one review them at a cafe with a nice coffee beverage (not necessary to include a gift card to offset the work, but one for a local cafe or Starbucks if you don't know any wouldn't hurt the taste buds and mind).

And like the NPS worker who drives the snowplow every day in the winter, plans are consistent, the stuff is always there and plowing ahead is always the order of the day. But at least I don't have to bring my thermos of coffee with me anymore (kinda' been there with winter field work).

MPG V2.8

I've updated the table of contents for the Mt. Rainier photo guide for some recent and some upcoming changes. I've been working on some new Web pages, specifically the placenames, the glaciers (the current ones are for viewing trails and places of glaciers), and early (1890-1900) photography for a description of what the early photographers used to photograph in the pre- and post NP.

These new pages are still in production. The glacier will describe and locate the existing glaciers and snowfields in the NP. The placenames will initially list all the placenames in the NP for the features. The early photography will briefly describe what photography was like in the last decade before the NP with the introduction of 4x5" sheet film by Kodak.

After that the December updates will be on-line and the two missing area guides some time next spring. These take about a month to research and produce, so it's not quick or easy, and since those areas are closed for the season except for winter travellers in some close areas, it's not critical for visitors.

That's it for now. Back to plowing.

November Reports

I have update the Mt. Rainier NP photo guide with the November news, access and conditions, and prospects Web pages. November is the first full month of winter operations with all the seasonal closures and the first really cold temperatures, and as we saw from late October, snow. It's unsure if this snow will last, although the predictions are for a colder and wetter winter. Many early snow storms melt in the first above freezing weather.

In short, it's winter when and where the weather and conditions are dynamic, so come prepared and be flexible with your plans. This is important on the trip to the NP. Snow changes everything as roads close or require traction tires or chains. Also bring extra clothes, food and hot drinks along with blankets for emergencies or periods of wating. Remember the Jackson visitiors center is only open weekends and holidays so the Paradise area has no available facilities weekdays.

On another note, I've updated the winter photography Web page with new information and expanded resources. I hope this guide helps your winter visit and you're always welcome to send me your comments, questions, suggestions, etc. via e-mail.