Although the official start to the 2002 ski season is not for another couple of weeks, there have been some unexpectedly heavy snowfalls in the last few days.
On May 21, 2002 there was a snow depth of 43cm at the official Snowy Mountains Authority snow depth monitoring site at Spencers Creek (located between Perisher Valley and Charlotte Pass at an elevation of 1,830m). In 2001, it was the middle of July before the snow cover reached this level.
To illustrate the possible significance of the early falls, we have to go back to 1977 (some 25 years) to find a greater depth of snow at this time of the year. In 1977 there was a 60cm cover by this time. In most years there is no snow at this stage.
1960 holds the record for the deepest cover at this time, with an impressive 202cm (over 2m). In 1962 there was 101cm, and in 1968 the cover was at 92cm.
Obviously this is in the hands of Mother Nature, but a look at the record books indicates that in the past 50 years, there have only been nine other occasions when snow cover at Spencers Creek was 40cm or more by this time of year. Statistically favorable for snow buffs, is that in only one of these years, did the snow cover decrease from this excellent start.
If you have any comments or questions on this article please e-mail me at Gungahlin Weather Centre.
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