2-3 August 2013

Wow, if we need to post about little weather systems like this thing we really are having a crap season … maybe 10 cm. The interesting thing is that the resort skiing seems to be holding up well (at least low to intermediate) — on desperately thin natural snow. Snow making has come a long way in the last decade, particularly with the introduction of elevated low-air nozzles. We’re looking at the future of Australian skiing, right now.

Update (28/7):  This event’s looking a little stronger and longer on recent model runs (particularly on the Bureau of Meteorology’s ACCESS-G, not our best model).  15 cm after some initial rain.

Update 2 (31/7): This is now up on BOM’s ACCESS-R, our most reliable short-range model (as the last event demonstrated). It’s now later still (a common trait of all the models), with the weather not showing as arriving until Friday afternoon. There seems to be potential for some further, rather wet-and-westerly action into the weekend. I’m sticking with 15 cm total with initial rain looking less likely, but — unusually — two different models are suggesting there could be some rain at lower levels on the tail of the event.

Outcome (4/8):  30 cm at Perisher and still coming down, with a follow up front coming Tuesday. A 50 cm gain would push us over the metre depth at Spencers Creek, finally topping 2006.  That “wet-and westerly” wasn’t so wet … maybe it’s time to give up this game. Score 5/10.

 

BOM 3.8.2013

1 comment to 2-3 August 2013

  • Michael

    Yes, I am thinking that natural snow cover becomes a 2nd base event with most skiing in future will be snow making on beginner and intermediate runs above 1600m. It is amazing that most people don’t see this coming.