Robert J. Leffler National Weather Service, Office of Meteorology Silver Spring, Maryland
Michael Changery National Climatic Data Center Asheville, North Carolina
Raymond Downs National Weather Service, Office of Systems Operations Silver Spring, Maryland
Andrew Horvitz National Weather Service, Office of Meteorology Silver Spring, Maryland
Kelly Redmond Western Regional Climate Center Reno, Nevada
George Taylor President, American Association of State Climatologists
During the July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999 snow season, the Mount Baker, Washington Ski Area in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington state, reported a total seasonal snowfall of 1,129 inches. Due to the dissemination of a press release claiming that the total was a new, unofficial national seasonal snowfall record, the measurement received national attention. Additionally, the total, if correct, would stand as the new world seasonal snowfall record.
The National Climate Extremes Committee (sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA)) was activated to evaluate the validity of the Mount Baker snowfall measurements. For this study, the Committee included four NOAA employees and two external climatological community members.
The committee's extensive review of the Mount Baker, WA seasonal snowfall which includes a description of the method of measuring snow depth by the observers and the siting of the equipment will be summarized. NOAA's response to the committee's recommendation regarding the validity of the snowfall total will also be presented.
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