Shocker: Snowfall setting records

A look out your window will probably confirm this!

The snowpack depth has increased 38 cm (over a foot) since the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s last snow survey two weeks ago, setting new records at all three sites.

The Authority started measuring snow depth in 1987 as part of its Flood Forecasting Program.

“The snow depths at all three sites are almost twice the long-term average for this time of year.  The average depth for the three sites was 85 cm, compared to the old record of 73 cm measured in 2001,” said Joel Harrison, NBMCA’s Water Resource Scientist.

The snowpack is relatively light and fluffy. 

While the water equivalence of the snowpack is 148.3 mm, 50 per cent above average for this time of year, the highest water equivalence was measured in 2001, at 189mm.  

Summary, Change & Comparison

Average Depth for all sites                                                       84.6cm (179% of normal)

Average snow water equivalence for all sites                          148.3mm (148% of normal)

Change in average snow depth since Jan 31/2019                 13.9 cm

Change in average water equivalence since Jan 31/2019       37.7mm

Average Depth for all sites mid-Feb 2018                                45.9cm

Average water equivalence for all sites mid-Feb 2018             80.3mm

North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek Watershed, North Bay)

Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River Watershed, Corbeil)

Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed, Chisholm)