Automated Snow Pillows (ASP): Interpretation and Commentary

Commentary updated to May 15, 2009

Commentary
Snow Water Equivalent data at all BC ASP's are summarized in the following table: ASP SUMMARY

There has been no significant change in mountain snowpack during the first half of May. The southern half of the province continues to have well below normal snowpacks, while northern portions of BC all continue to have above normal snowpacks. Middle portions of the province (North Thompson, Nechako) are near normal.

A frontal system May 12-14 brought new snow to areas above 1000 metres, in southern BC, and into the Peace and Upepr Fraser.

By May 15th, snowmelt is typically underway. However, the cool weather so far this spring has subdued snowmelt.

The snow pillow graphs are updated daily.

Caution in use of these data:

It should be noted that the snow pillow graphs plotted on these Web pages and the preceding commentary are based on preliminary data from snow pillows with widely varying periods of record. Caution should be exercised in drawing conclusions as the pillow record may not be accurate or represent the whole of the basin in which it is situated. Automatic Snow Pillow technology is relatively new, so many pillows have comparatively short periods of record. Apparent "record" readings may be the highest or lowest of short records and not indicative of abnormal conditions.