Well, no-one else has kicked off this thread for the current season yet, so I will. For the uninitiated, Snowy Hydro Ltd take weekly measurements of snow depths at various spots in three NSW Snowy Mountains locations: . Spencer’s Creek (at 1830m located near Charlotte Pass and most relevant to that resort as well as the upper reaches of Perisher and Thredbo). Perisher and I believe Thredbo make reference to this measurement when publishing their snow depths. Bear in mind the elevation here! . Deep Creek: at 1620m and further away from the actual resorts, near Cabramurra . Three Mile Dam: at 1460m elevation, near Kiandra. The last two are worth bearing in mind despite their geographic location for likely snow depths on the lower slopes of Thredbo and Selwyn. I’d appreciate this thread being used for observations on the weekly, scientifically based measurements taken by Snowy Hydro rather than a raging debate about how relevant these locations are to your specific snow resort. That debate has been done to death, and if you want to keep flogging it, please take it elsewhere! Links: https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/our-energy/water/inflows/snow-depths-calculator/ http://gergs.net/2013/07/adding-deep-creek/
94.7cm this week, which is a nice increase on the prior. I note perisher have updated their reading, but the snowy hydro site has not yet been updated. I assume the 94.7cm is a verbal to perisher from hydro Also I observe that the very first reading of the season at three mile dam was higher than the biggest reading there for the entire 2017 season, which was a big season Doesn't mean much, as it is quite low. Probably reflects the northerly flow of that system, which is why Selwyn did ok
No offence meant m'lady - but. For newbies etc. Selwyn is just a stones throw from 3 Mile dam - literally a 2 minute drive and just 100 m lower so it's the best to use. Deep Ck is 30 km away to the SW but is useful for comparing the lower level snow depths at PB and TBo. And even though it's 2018 these resorts can't be bothered to stick a ruler in the snow at lower, middle and upper levels and give the punters an honest daily reading... W
I think it’s only fair that kind of statement is backed up with some sort of reason, if not some evidence
I bow to your superior knowledge here, @warrie. I think it’s important to focus on Three Mile Dam and Deep Creek too as they at a lower altitude and hence may reflect more accurately snow depths at Selwyn and the lower slopes of Perisher and Thredbo
Well may it be 95, but Snowy Hydro are still officially showing 75 on their site. They’ll probably update it tomorrow having given Perisher the early heads-up as per @robbo mcs earlier comment.
Over in BBQ thread was this yesterday the 12th: 94.7cm at Spencer's Creek: http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/snow-depth-nears-one-metre/528147 #3113 Hermon, Yesterday at 11:28 AM......... W
And now it’s official: 94.7cm at Spencer’s Creek and a healthy 49.9cm at Deep Creek as at 11 July ...
Spencers reading bang on average for this date in the year. And to be more positive and mathematical its a tad above the median. Link will update soon: http://gergs.net/gergs/attachment/2018/ More good news - for skiers that is, the continuing cold temps and lack of rain. Not so farmers....W
Snow depth varies significantly across small areas. Snowy hydro use an average of many readings at each location. Its not as simple as sticking a single ruler in the snow. At 95cm we are reaching the point where it doesnt matter anymore.
Groomer only needs 10cm firm cover to be skiable. Off piste you can tell whether its skiable by looking at it.
The reading is in for this week: 99.8cm at Spencers Creek, and a respectable 49.9cm at Deep Creek. Steady as she goes ....
My random number generator says 3,822. May be micrometres. I'm getting a new random number generator.
Good question. There are quite a few measurement poles around perisher, which bear little resemblance to the spencers reading. There is one on burnum burnum that always reads 70cm, no matter whether the base is 70cm or 200cm. I think that 70cm is all the topography of that particular spot will hold, before it blows or falls down the hill. I did once briefly see it go to 100cm after the third big storm last year, then back to 70cm That is why I trust spencers. Multiple samplings (10) across a specific area, including water content not just depth, with a proven track record.
Robbo, I am also happy with Spencers as a general average of snow depth. I was surprised it was quite a distance from Perisher and always told fold it really only applied to Perisher itself. Where is the depth pole in Smiggs? Will catch up with you after the 4th be back down .
