It’s been worse, and much better

Before I get started, I’d like to remind everyone who has left a trip report this winter to send me a photo of yourself(if you haven’t already). I have photos of many of you(see previous post for updated list), but if you’re not on the list, I’d welcome your email with a photo attached.

I was pleased to see that Elk Pass and Blueberry Hill were groomed last night. I hope someone checks it out today, and lets us know if you survived the “attack of the collembola.”

Ray Perrott

I received this email from stats-man Ray Perrott regarding March weather:

Its been a tough winter for cross-country skiers in this part of the world. Seems like skiing got going a bit late (not until early Dec for most areas), and then was significantly interrupted by 4 strong chinooks Dec.8 – Dec. 12; Jan. 22 – Jan. 27; Feb. 11 – Feb. 14; Mar. 5 – present. These chinooks, combined with lower than average snowfalls, made for a short and challenging ski season. The only consistently reasonable skiing was from Christmas through the third week of January. Will there be any more skiing???

Out of curiosity, I looked at the past 25 years weather histories at Banff. Here’s a look at the first 11 days of March for three of those years:

2015 (current year March): Avg. daily high: 5.9C; Total snowfall 5cm

1992 (warmest March ): Avg. daily high: 9.1C; Total snowfall
1cm (snowfall for the full month was a paltry 4cm)

2002 (coldest March) : Avg. daily high: -6.0C; Total
snowfall 14cm (snowfall for the full month was a wonderful 60cm)

So, things have been worse, and of course, much better (for skiers).
Incidentally, March 2014 was the second coldest in the past 25 years.