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Daily updates to Snow Zone will return later this year with up-to-date information regarding snowfall accumulation, snow depth, and much more from the Mount Washington Valley. Snow Zone now features a recap with a link to four graphs regarding the winter season of 2009-10.


The Winter of 2009-10

Month Snowfall
Total
Departure
from norm
Greatest
24 hr. Acc
Avg Snow
Depth
Peak
Depth
October
T
-0.2" T 0" 0"
November T -4.4" T 0" 0"
December 20.7" +1.3" 9.5" 7" 11"
January 13.6" -4.5" 4.7" 12" 16"
February 10.4" -5.0" 5.5" 8" 12"
March 01.5" -14.9" 1.5" 3" 11"
April 06.1" +0.6" 4.0" 0" 4"
May T 0.0" T 0" 0"
Season 52.3" -27.1" 9.5" 6" 16"


Review: Third Least Snowiest Winter
Winter seasons in North Conway can usually be summed up into two words: cold and snowy. Unfortunately for snow lovers, the winter of 2009-10 failed to live up to such standards as it ranked as the third least snowiest winter season on record. A total of 52.3 inches of snow (-31.2 inches) was recorded between October 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

The winter season began slowly in North Conway as November received only a trace amount of snow. This was the first time that such an amount had been recorded in eighteen years. It wasn't until December 06, 2009, that the first measurable snowfall occurred when 3.5 inches accumulated. Historically, only two days have recorded a later first season measurable snowfall (12/12/1960 and 12/07/2006). Three days later, the first and only significant snowfall of the season occurred in North Conway when a low pressure system produced ten inches of snow.

During the weekend of January 03, 2010, a powerful coastal storm produced upwards of 18 to 24 inches of snow in the White Mountains. However, a strong northwest wind dried out the precipitation in some of the valleys due to the downslope effect. Less than one inch of snow accumulated in North Conway. This wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last time, that the area narrowly missed out on heavy amounts of snow.

North Conway entered a dry spell towards the end of January as a string of storms missed the Mount Washington Valley. After nearly four weeks, North Conway received its first measurable inch of snow during the onset of a prolonged nor'easter on February 24, 2010. This storm produced 5 to 7 inches of snow on the valley floor while at least 15 inches accumulated at an elevation at or above 1,000 feet.

Another snowless period occurred throughout March until the month's first and only snowfall of 1.5 inch happened on March 29, 2010. This month ranked as the second least snowiest March on record behind March 1973 when 0.2 inch of snow accumulated. April received four times the amount of snow then that of March when two late season winter storms produced a total accumulation of 6.1 inches on April 17, 2010 and April 28, 2010.

The lackluster 2009-10 season total of 52.3 inches of snow came after the previous two winters had consecutively produced snowfall amounts greater than 100 inches. Residents of North Conway witnessed a 52% drop in snowfall compared to the winter of 2008-09 when 107.8 inches had accumulated. Considering the winter of 2007-08, which produced 147.6 inches of snow, residents witnessed a 65% drop in snowfall.

One reason for the dissapointing winter season in North Conway was due to a stubborn blocking pattern that developed in the atmosphere over Greenland and the Canadian Maritimes. This pattern displaced the storm track well to our south into the Mid-Atlantic region. Cities from Philadelphia, PA, to Washington, D.C., not only recieved record breaking snowfall, but also ended up with season totals greater than North Conway. The pattern also blocked the areas supply of cold air, which resulted in warmer temperatures and a limited amount of arctic outbreaks.

Records for North Conway date back prior to 1960 and are courtesy
of the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.

   

2009-10 Winter Graphs
The following is a link to four graphs that coincide with the winter of 2009-10 review.
Click here to view.




















Related Links
Winter Extremes
Historical Observations
Graphic Trends up to 45 yrs
Wettest Summer Review
Contact


Notable Storms
The following is an overview of the winter storms that have occurred in North Conway during the winter season of 2009 to 2010. The basic requirements for a winter storm is that the system must produce at least 5.5 inches of snow or 0.50 inch of ice accumulation.


Date
Snow
Amount
Rain/Melted
Total
Storm
Duration
Mean
Temp.
Wind
Speed
12/09/09 - Map 9.5 in 1.05 in 13 hrs 23.4° NW 1 G 9
02/24/10 - Map 5.5 in 3.79 in 48 hrs 33.8° NE 3 G 30








Flashback: Winter of 2007-08
The winter of 2007 to 2008 was written into history as one of the snowiest season's ever recorded in the Mount Washington Valley. Bellow you can read a bulleted summary that highlights some of the information regarding the winter of 2007 to 2008. For further information, click on Climate Database, which will bring you to sections like Local Extremes (18 top ten lists, such as most snow for one season), Historical Graphs (since 1960), and Daily Statistics. Please note that the weather extremes are based upon my observations with the help of nearly 50 years of NWS co-op observations.
  1. 2nd snowiest winter season: The total of 147.6 inches makes the winter of 2007-08 the 2nd snowiest winter season on record. This total equates to 12 feet of snow. The first place spot for North Conway remains 1968-69 when 164 inches accumulated.
  2. Earliest date to surpass 100": Snowfall surpassed 100 inches on February 13, 2008, which makes it the earliest date to surpass 100 inches in North Conway. The last time this occured so early was on February 15, 1973.
  3. 2nd Deepest Snow Depth: North Conway's peak depth of 55 inches on March 2, 2008 ranks as the 2nd deepest snowpack. Over one week of at least four feet of snow remained on the ground for eight days. The number one position for deepest snow depth belongs to March 1969 when a depth of 65 inches was recorded.
  4. Consec. Days >= 1": The region recorded 140 consecutive days of at least 1 inch of snow on the ground. This ranks the season in 3rd place for the longest duration. The two seasons ahead of it are 1968-69 (169 days) and 1971-72 (149 days).
  5. 3rd Snowiest December, 10th all-time: December 2007 recorded 41 inches of snow making it the 3rd snowiest December and 10th snowiest month of all time. Those ranking higher are 12/1970 with 46 inches and 12/1972 with 65 inches.
  6. January's snowfall of 25 inches was the greatest recorded for that month in 9 years.
  7. 2nd Snowiest February, 3rd all-time: The month of February recorded 54 inches of snow (+38 inches). It became the 2nd snowiest February on record and the third snowiest month of all time. The first place winner for both remains February 1960 with 68 inches of snow.
  8. 2nd Wettest February: A total of 7.35 inches of rain/melted snow accumulated during this month, making it the 2nd wettest February. First place remains to be Feb 1964 (9.64 inches).
  9. 4th Wettest March: March's snowfall of 24 inches was the greatest recorded for that month in 7 years. The melted down value of 5.73 inches helped it to become the 4th wettest March of all time. The wettest March occured in 1983 with a total value of 8.47 inches.
  10. On April 1, 2008, the total snowfall difference between this season and the previous season was 95 inches of snow.
  11. Second snowiest winter for the state: Similar to North Conway, the capital of New Hampshire (Concord) also witnessed their 2nd snowiest winter season. The city recieved 119.5 inches and was only 2.5 inches shy of breaking their all-time record, which was originally set during the winter season of 1873-74.
   






This photo gallery features a sample of 24 photos that were taken during the winter season of 2007-2008. Click on the thumbnails to the left so that you can view the images much larger. The images will pop-up so make sure to allow pop-ups for this web site depending any security settings.

All photographs were taken on or surrounding my parents 30+ acres of land in Chatham, NH (8 miles east of Jackson). Exactly 150 inches of snow accumulated at their location with a peak depth of 57 inches in early March.

The photographs in the galleries of North Conway Weather are property of Caleb Boulter. Please display proper credit if you use any pictures from this or any gallery on another web site. Feel free to use the pictures for personal use.

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