I think it's FINALLY over!

[azsnowman]

WELL....winter for all intents and purposes, is OVER here in Pinetop! How can I be so CONFIDENT in saying such a thing you ask? My Labrador Retrievers nose is FINALLY turning BLACK It's BETTER than ANY computer model GUARANTEED! It turns pink in the fall (I've timed it, it takes approx 2-3 weeks for the first snow) and then goes pitch BLACK in the Spring....

I KNOW we will have at LEAST ONE MORE BIG SNOW before Aprils over, always HAVE, even in the 9 years of drought!


Dennis

[azsnowman]

Guess I can FINALLY put the "Brass Monkey" back on the front porch

Dennis

[Skywatch_NC]

In the revised words of Manilow: "Looks Like He MADE IT!!!!"

Dog nose color for seasonal changes...WAY COOL! Send that in to the Old Farmer's Almanac, Brother!

Eric

[azskyman]

Forecasting 86 by Friday or Saturday here in the Valley of the Sun...so your prediction of winter being over seems pretty realistic. Like you, though, I expect one more chill with some high country snow during April.

[Aslkahuna]

Actually the chill and snow in April 1999 wasn't so high country with Scottsdale getting 4 inches of snow and snow in Tucson and here of course-that was our White Easter.

Steve

[MGC]

Dennis, how much snow have you had this winter to date?....MGC

[azsnowman]

Dennis, how much snow have you had this winter to date?....MGC

We've hit ABOVE average snowfall for a *calender year*......138" total since late October to date, that's 6" above average for here at the *house*. I live down in a SNOW HOLE, a valley just above the Mogollon Rim that catches the full effect of the orographic lift that the Rim provides, it's WIERD

The most snow at one time this winter was 39", then we had NUMEROUS 3-6" per system and the LAST system dumped 13" total in 2.5 HOURS

Dennis

[weatherlover427]

It's definitely been a great year precipitation-wise for us here in the West. Although it has come at a great price, such as all of the flooding, mudslides, collapsing homes and roofs, car crashes, etc. and of course the deaths.

Not to mention the immense drought and brush fire relief that we have had as well.

[Aslkahuna]

Unfortunately, that brush fire relief will be shortlived since all of that fresh new Manzanita and Chapparal that grew this winter will dry out nicely this Summer and will be primed to burn when the Santa Anas hit in the Fall. As for Drought relief, before we celebrate, lets see what next winter brings to make sure that this is not just one of those wet years in a prolonged drought cycle.

Steve

[TT-SEA]

Some of the worst fires in Southern California come after wet winters.

Last fall was pretty tame because the drought and previous massive wildfires had left nothing to burn.

The wildfires this year could be much more destructive.

[azsnowman]

Trying to find the link, as soon as I do, I'll post it.......Sunrise Park Resort (28 miles to my East) had, are you READY for THIS?? SRP had a WHOPPING 300" TOTAL this winter season, heard that on the news last night

Dennis

[azsnowman]

Here's some info........


http://www.azcentral.com

Sunrise Park Resort




Directions: From Pinetop-Lakeside, take Route 260 east to Route 273. Follow the signs from here to the resort. Springerville Airport is 20 minutes away from Sunrise Park and is the closest. Snow Phone: 800-772-SNOW.



Sunrise Park Resort, owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, is located in the heart of Arizona's White Mountains, about 215 miles northeast of Phoenix.

The resort is Arizona's largest ski area and usually experiences about 250 to 300 inches of snow seasonally.

The ski slopes run down three mountains: Sunrise Peak (10700 ft.), Apache Peak (11300 ft) and Cyclone Circle (10700 ft). Many of the 65 skiable trails are wide and perfect for cruising.

There are two gentle, well-groomed lower slopes for beginners, and steep terrain for advanced skiers on Cyclone Circle. The terrain is rated 20 percent advanced, 40 percent intermediate and 40 percent beginner. Sunrise provides double, triple and quad lifts capable of moving 15,000 skiers per hour uphill.

There are also a snowboarding area, cross country ski trails and a special children's "ski-wee" area. Sunrise offers 5 lodges. The largest, Sunrise Park Lodge, provides 100 rooms, dining, indoor pool, whirlpoool, lounge and game room. Funland houses childcare (ages 3 & under) and "Ski Wee" (ages 3 to 6). Both offer half and full day programs.

Free shuttle service is available from Sunrise Base, Cyclone Base, Sunrise General Store, and Sunrise Park Lodge. The park's season usually begins in December and runs through mid-April.

Resort Profile

Slope stats
• Vertical Drop: 2300 ft.
• Total Lifts: 10
• Ski Trails: 65
• Beginner Runs: 40%
• Intermediate Runs: 40%
• Advanced Runs: 20% Mountain stats
• Top Elevation: 11,200 ft.
• Base Elevation: 9300 ft.
• Annual Snowfall: 250-300 inches
• Skiable Area: 800 acres
• Night Skiing: No
• Handicap Access: No