Mount Baker Ski Area in Washington state reported 1,140 inches of snow for the 1998-99 season, a potential new national record. Were the observations up to snuff? The National Climate Extremes Committee (NCEC) would decide! @NWS #WAwx 1/9

NCEC, ever suspicious, noted that “a measure of economic self interest accompanies these measurements.” In other words: a snowfall record is good marketing for a ski area, so the record warranted a close look. Truth be told, NCEC _always_ takes a close look. 2/9

The existing record of 1,122 inches had been set in 1971-72 on Mt. Rainier (pictured), 150 miles from Mt. Baker. It’s a snowy region, thanks to Pacific storms that slam into the Cascades all winter. In 1998-99 La Niña conditions and cold temps made things even snowier. 3/9

Snowfall is hard to measure: it blows, drifts, settles, melts. The amount measured varies depending on how often it’s measured and the surface in question (grass, wood, asphalt, etc.). The Mt. Baker observers were 4 resort staffers; location was a parking lot at 4,200 feet. 4/9

NCEC examined log sheets, talked to the observers, and reported: “Surface brushed clean of past snowfall each observation … When drifted, accepted practice followed of averaging a variety of sample depths … Snowboard used when appropriate … Observers were knowledgeable.” 5/9

Committee members noted severe damage to large trees from avalanches and snow creep (slow downhill movement of heavy snowpack), including “120-year-old trees … snapped off.” The ski area even had to close for two days because there was _too much_ snow. 6/9

NCEC also noted that Mt. Rainier had recorded 1,035 inches that year, second most on record. And a USDA Snow Survey site 25 miles east had its highest snow-water content on record. In other words, Mt. Baker’s record amount fit into a pattern. 7/9

NCEC concluded that the ski area’s observers hadn’t exaggerated a bit: the committee unanimously approved the Mt. Baker total of 1,140 inches as the new national record for the July-June snowfall season. 8/9

Read the full NCEC report: https://bit.ly/36CbtxU  and read our story on the similar work performed by NCEI’s State Climate Extremes Committee: https://bit.ly/32SvCPJ