La Nina Perspectives
Winter has Arrived in the Tetons
It was quite the winter weekend in Jackson Hole. A pacific storm system dropped nearly 26 inches of fresh snowfall and the forecast calls for continued accumulation throughout the week. As the opening day for Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole approach, we take a moment to reflect upon the long term forecast for the 2011/2012 winter season.
In a recent publication by the National Weather Service in Wyoming, meteorologist assessed the effect of La Nina on our state. Their conclusion: not all winters and not all La Ninas are created equal. This year’s La Nina is currently forecast to be a weak to moderate La Nina, as opposed to last year’s strong event. However, the potential is there for this winter to be similar to last winter.
“The evolving La Nina will shape this winter,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “There is a wild card, though. The erratic Arctic Oscillation can generate strong shifts in the climate patterns that could overwhelm or amplify La Nina’s typical impacts.” – NOAA
Current Snow Accumulations – 11/21/11
La Nina in a nutshell
During cold La Nina episodes the normal patterns of tropical precipitation and atmospheric circulation become disrupted. The abnormally cold waters in the equatorial central give rise greater atmospheric disturbances, particularly in the North Pacific. La Nina episodes are associated with three prominent changes in the wintertime atmospheric flows:
- Increased meridional (north to south) flow over the eastern North Pacific.
- Increased high pressure blocking activity over the North Pacific.
- Highly variable strength of the jet stream over the northwest and Canada.
In response to the more variable atmospheric circulation caused by the changing surface temperatures of the ocean, there tends to be increased rainfall and storminess associated with this weather cycle. A good thing for skiers and snowboarders intently watching the sky in anticipation of snowfall. – words and research by NOAA
Advancements in Weather Reporting for the Teton Region
Improvements and technological advancements continue to drive forward innovation in weather prediction. Regional agencies continue to make real time maps and other information easier to access.
Obtaining the data required to make responsible decisions is critical to safety in the mountains. Fortunately, the Teton Region is home to some of the best weather resources in the Rocky Mountains. Listed below are the three regional agencies advancing the use of meteorology in Jackson Hole.
Jackson Hole Weather Resources
The avalanche center provides a daily report summarizing weather conditions and their impact on avalanche activity in the region. They also maintain a variety of tools the public can use to stay up to date on current weather conditions. Commonly used data on their site includes:
The avalanche center plans to use new social media platforms to help raise awareness of hazardous snow pack conditions in the mountains.
MountainWeather is a meteorological consulting company located in Jackson, Wyoming and is owned and operated by meteorologist Jim Woodmencey. The MountainWeather Forecast for Jackson Hole and the Teton Mountains is produced each weekday morning.
Additional services offered by Mountain Weather include:
NOAA Riverton provides winter weather advisories for our region of the state. Their website offers links to reports, maps, current conditions, radar observations and more.
The Riverton station recently joined Facebook, offering new ways to stay connected to their forecast. Other services they feature include:
Other Posts from The Mountain Pulse
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The 43rd Annual Shriner's Cutter Races
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, February 15th // Sunday, February 16th
Melody Ranch // Jackson, WY
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
General Admission: $15
This weekend, give your ski legs a break and make your way down to Melody Ranch for the 43rd Annual Cutter Races. Sponsored by the Jackson Hole Shrine Club and ...
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The 2014 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Sponsored By: Skinny Skis
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, Feb. 8th / 8 pm // Sunday, Feb 9th / 7 pm
Jackson Hole High School Auditorium
Tickets: $12 each night / $20 for both nights
Every year in November, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts descend upon the little town of Banff nestled deep ...
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Moon Taxi
Previewed By: Ellie Stratton-Brook
Saturday January, 25th
Pink Garter Theatre // Jackson, WY
With special guests the Acoustic Weapons
Doors - 8:00pm // Show - 9:00pm
Tickets: $14 in advance // Buy Tickets Online
With a winter jam packed full of musical acts it can be hard to decide where to spend your hard earned money, but try to ...
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2014 Coldsmoke Awards
Previewed By: Stephen Williams
Saturday January, 18th
Emerson Cultural Center, Bozeman MT
North of the Sun - Filmhuset AS
Never Not Part 2 - Nike
Valhalla - Sweetgrass Productions
Previous Photos
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Warren Miller's Ticket to Ride
Previewed By: Stephen Williams
Friday December, 20th
Pink Garter Theatre
All Ages Showing - 6:00 pm
21+ Showing - 9:00pm
$16 / Buy Tickets Online
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Avalanche Awareness Night
Thursday 12/05 - 6:30 to 9:30pm
Jackson Hole Center for the Arts
$5 Donation benefits Teton County Search and Rescue
Previewed by: Stephen Williams
From the time that Powder Magazine's annual Buyer's Guide arrives in the mail in the late summer, the countdown to the upcoming winter season begins. Living in Jackson over the last few years, ...
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03/10/14 - 2nd Annual Ski Joring Championships
Written and Photographed By: Stephen Williams
Ski Joring is an event with a perfect mix of Jackson Hole's historic cowboy culture and the new ski bum lifestyle. Presented by the Shriner's Club as a part of Jackson hole Winterfest, the skier lassos up the horse and rider and hangs ...
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Canyon Kids Release Double EP
Written By: Adam Glos
Photos by: Christie Quinn
In case you missed it, the debut album from Canyon Kids hit the electronic shelves recently, proving once again that the small town of Jackson has some serious talent up its sleeves.
Canyon Kids is a musical byproduct and collaboration spearheaded by local musicians Dusty ...
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Head for the Hills
Previewed By: Ellie Stratton-Brook
Thursday March, 6th
Town Square Tavern // Jackson, WY
9:00pm // Tickets: $10 // Buy Tickets Online
Although you may have seen many bluegrass bands around these parts, Head for the Hills maintains a unique sound that combines a jam band attitude with catchy lyrics and sophisticated tunes. Hailing from Colorado, ...
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The 2nd Annual North American Skijoring Championships
Previewed By: Adam Glos
Saturday, February 22nd - 12:00pm
1 Sunday, February 23rd - 11:00am
Melody Ranch // Jackson, WY
General Admission: $10 // Kids 12 and Under: FREE
If you found yourself having oodles of fun at last week’s Cutter Races, then you’re sure to be entertained by the JH Shrine Club’s ...
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02/19/14 - Competing in the Freeride World Qualifier Stop at Crystal Mountain
Written By: Rachel Fortier
Photos By: Paul Moseley
On about the 13th hour of my 15 hour drive I started to ask myself, “What’s the point of all this?” I am headed to Crystal Mountain, southeast of Seattle in the Cascades for my 1st Freeride ...
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02/16/14 - Road Tripping to Big Sky and Moonlight Basin
Written and Photographed By: Stephen Williams
When it comes to snowboarding, I have definitely become attached to the terrain around Jackson Hole. A couple days a season at Grand Targhee Resort, a few dozen more in the backcountry of Teton Pass and Grand Teton National Park, ...
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Black Uhuru
Previewed By: Heather Cosby
Friday February, 14th
Pink Garter Theatre // Jackson, WY
9:00pm // Tickets: $26 // Buy Tickets Online
Dinner and Show: $150 // Buy Tickets Online
Through the various assemblages of members, Black Uhuru has maintained a presence in the Reggae community since their origins in the Waterhouse District of Jamaica in 1972.
Originally comprised of ...
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The 2014 KHOL 89.1fm Winter Membership Drive
Previewed By: John Leonard
February 11th - February 17th
Call 307.733.5465 to Donate
Visit www.891khol.org
Member Appreciation Party w/ El Ten Eleven
Live at the Center for the Arts
Sunday February, 23rd
The voice of Jackson Hole, 89.1 KHOL, is kicking off their 2014 Winter Membership Drive February 11th-17th. The listener supported station is coming ...
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Infamous Stringdusters
Tuesday February, 11th
Mangy Moose // Teton Village, WY
9:00pm // Tickets: $20
Sweethogs and Swinehearts Ball with Infamous Stringdusters
Previewed By: Matt Herron
Wednesday February, 12th
Mangy Moose // Teton Village, WY
9:00pm // Tickets: $25
Before making reservations at McDonald’s or buying Dollar Store chocolates for Valentine’s Day, dirtbags of Jackson get to do something sweet for themselves at ...
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Keller Williams
Previewed By: Lindley Rust
Saturday February, 8th
Pink Garter Theatre // Jackson, WY
Doors - 8:00pm // Show - 9:00pm
Tickets: $25 in advance // Buy Tickets Online
The one-man jam-band that is Keller Williams’ solo act encompasses most of what Jacksonites are attracted to. From reggae, jam, electronic, funk, and bluegrass, he covers a variety of musical ...
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International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race
Previewed By: Kori Price
Race Kick Off
Friday January, 31st
Town Square // 6:30pm
Fireworks and Torchlight Parade
Snow King Resort // 8:00pm
If you haven't already noticed the dog sled signs on every street corner in East Jackson, get ready for the truckloads of snow that's about to be hauled in to make ...
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01/29/14 - Bif-Pop-Burn, Coming Back From a Knee Injury
Written By: Adam Glos
For those reading who have experienced a knee injury, you know the realization that your ski season is over is far more painful than the injury itself. When your doc tells you your ACL is “missing” from your MRI, what he’s really saying ...
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