Last winter, the snowpack in the Olympic mountains was extremely low. The measurement station near Hurricane Ridge (at elevation 5110 ft) recorded a snowpack that was less than 8% of average on February 15. There was enough precipitation but it fell as rain (rainfall was 104% of average) and warmer temperatures melted whatever did fall as snow. Snow is our water storage for summer, here on the Olympic Peninsula. The creeks and rivers will lack water for salmon runs and human uses. It will also be a dangerous fire season, with the Paradise fire in the Queets valley (western side of the park) already consuming 1000 acres in steep terrain.
View from Hurricane Hill showing very little snow and smoke from Paradise Fire - June 22, 2015. The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Snails, fish, insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. So what will the lack of snow and warm winter mean for the wildflowers at Hurricane Ridge? Avalanche lily, May 22, 2015↧