Posted on 02/18/2005 11:05:22 PM PST by AZLiberty
This site shows accumulated rainfall at cities around the world for the past 30, 90, or 365 days. I was trying to find some verification that Arizona's drought was ending. Looks like Phoenix has had 3 inches more than "normal" this past year, which is way over what we've seen for the last five years. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Colorado River watershed has been getting much more than average.
Well, be prepared, more is coming your way. We've had a monsoon here tonight in Northern San Diego County, with more to come in the next 3-4 days. Heading your way next!
Las Vegas has had almost 6inches since December...we normally get about 4. I've read that it takes 15 years to recover from drought, however.
A report from the upper end of the Colorado River basin; southern Colorado watersheds are running at above normal levels. The northern part of the basin is near or slightly below, the averages increase as you head south. The Gunnison is around 145% of normal; the Upper San Juan at around 180% plus, I believe. We typically get most of our snowfall in March and April, so we're a ways from the final numbers, but I'm hopeful.
It would take a snowpack of 500 % or more to bring us back up to a 10 year average, but the reserviours are fuller than they were, and we seem to be on the mend.
And, most importantly: The skiing has been the best in 10 years; especially in the southern resorts: Crested Butte (which has had a fine new expansion), Wolf Creek, Monarch; and Telluride and Durango. We've had many great powder days already, and not too cold either. Come on up !!
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