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Maine Cooperative Snow Survey

This information is provided by a partnership with Department of Conservation, Maine Geological Survey and the USGS Maine Water Science Center.

 

Survey Date Equivalent Water Content in Snowpack Change in Water Content from Preceding Survey Snowpack Depth Snowpack Density Water Content in Snowpack Compared to Historical Values Mean Water Content in a Drainage Basin ASCII Text File
January 1, 2009 2008 Snow Survey maps have been archived. 2009 Survey dates are listed below. Dates are Tuesdays; maps will be posted here Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning following receipt and compilation of statewide snow survey data.
January 20, 2009

Tuesday the 20th was a nice day for a snow survey in January.... I've certainly seen a lot worse. Water content is normal to above normal for this time of year where we have data or statistics. With the upcoming colder temperatures, the snow should hold very well for snow sports. Additional snow measurement data was used to revise the maps on 1/22/09.
final_rev map 01/20/2009 No data for 01/20/2009 final_rev map 01/20/2009 final_rev map 01/20/2009 No data for 01/20/2009 final_rev map 01/20/2009 final_rev map 01/20/2009
February 17, 2009

Not much snow accumulated in the state over the past month. Snowpack density (water content/depth) went from an average of around .20 in mid-January to an average of around .25 in mid-February. Water content increased by about an inch in most areas of the state. The large storm that hit Maine on February 22nd and 23rd should appear in the data collected next week.

final_rev map 02/17/2009 No data for 02/17/2009 final_rev map 02/17/2009 final_rev map 02/17/2009 No data for 02/17/2009 No data for 02/17/2009 final_rev map 02/17/2009
March 3, 2009
March 4, 2009

Snowpack depth and density increased this week across southern, central and eastern Maine after Monday's (3/2/09) big storm. Over 180 sites were sampled this week to compile the maps. There is certainly lots of snow across the state. Winter sports enthusiasts must be happy!
final_rev map 03/04/2009 No data for 03/04/2009 final_rev map 03/04/2009 final_rev map 03/04/2009 final_rev map 03/04/2009 final_rev map 03/04/2009 final_rev map 03/04/2009
March 10, 2009

Most of the state is within the 50 percent range of the historic record with eastern portions of the state in the highest 25 percent of historic measurements. We will continue our weekly readings and track whether we gain or lose water in the snowpack. Snow depths ranged from 13.2 to 38.3 inches and the water content in the snowpack ranged from 3.4 to 9.7 inches.
final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009 final_rev map 03/10/2009
March 17, 2009

Snowpack depths (in inches) ranged from 9" in Pittsfield (central Maine) to over 37" at the Parlin Pond and Churchill Ridge sites (northwestern Maine). Water content ranged from 2" to almost 11". Snowpack densities are increasing and now range from .20 to .30 across much of the state. The recent warm weather has begun to erode the snowpack but mostly in southern and coastal Maine.
final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009 final_rev map 03/17/2009
March 24, 2009

A steady decline in snowpack depth and water content continues across the state, although at a faster rate in southern, central and downeast regions. Northern and mountain regions of the state still are covered by over two feet of snow which contains over six and up to ten inches of water. Snowpack densities are on the rise in southern Maine. Forecasters at both ends of the state are keeping an eye on a rain event predicted for Saturday night into Sunday. Rain and warm temperatures in the headwaters may lead to potential flooding. Stay tuned......
final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009 final_no_rev map 03/24/2009
March 31, 2009

The steady decline in water content and snowpack depth continues. For the first time this season areas of no snow were reported in York and Cumberland Counties. Northeastern Aroostook County picked up additional snowfall from Monday's storm. Water content in the snowpack in headwater regions remains high. Rivers and streams should be monitored in upcoming days with a flood watch in effect.
final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009 final_rev map 03/31/2009
April 7, 2009

Lots of melting statewide this past week. Southern Maine sites went to either a trace or to no snow with central and northern Maine snow sites losing between one and four inches of water.
final_no_rev map 04/07/2009 final_no_rev map 04/07/2009 final_no_rev map 04/07/2009 final_no_rev map 04/07/2009 final_no_rev map 04/07/2009 No data for 04/07/2009 final_no_rev map 04/07/2009
April 14, 2009

The slow melting of this season's snowpack continues. The southern third of the state is either snow free or showing just a trace. Northern areas are also thinning out. Correction made to data file after a mistake was found and maps remade (4/22/09).
final_rev map 04/14/2009 final_rev map 04/14/2009 final_rev map 04/14/2009 final_no_rev map 04/14/2009 final_rev map 04/14/2009 final_no_rev map 04/14/2009 final_rev map 04/14/2009
April 21, 2009

This will be the last set of maps for the year. The only significant snow left in the state is in northern Aroostook County with some areas in the 6 - 12 inch range.
final_no_rev map 04/21/2009 final_no_rev map 04/21/2009 final_no_rev map 04/21/2009 final_no_rev map 04/21/2009 No data for 04/21/2009 No data for 04/21/2009 final_no_rev map 04/21/2009
April 28, 2009  
May 5, 2009  

 

Provisional product Provisional product; subject to revision Final product; no revisions Final product; no revisions Final product; revised from original product Final product; revised from original product No product for this survey data No product for this survey date

 

Map and Data Type Descriptions
Equivalent water content in snowpack: Maps of equivalent water content in the snowpack in 1-inch increments based on measurements obtained from the sources listed above.
Change in water content from preceding survey: Maps of the change in equivalent water content in the snowpack from the preceding survey.  Only prepared while weekly surveys are being conducted.
Snowpack depth: Snowpack depth in 6-inch increments based on measurements obtained from the sources listed above.
Snowpack density: Snowpack density (water equivalent in inches divided by snowpack depth in inches) based on measurements obtained from the sources listed above. A snowpack with densities above 0.33 is considered "ripe". A ripe snowpack no longer has the ability to absorb rainfall and would tend to release water during a rain event.
Equivalent water content in snowpack compared to historical values: These maps (called quartile maps) show areas where measured values of water content are in the lowest 25-percent of measured values (significantly below normal values), the middle 50-percent of measured values (roughly normal for this time of year), or upper 25-percent of measured values (significantly above (normal).
Mean water content in a drainage basin: Mean water content in a drainage basin. It is calculated by finding the mean value of water content in a basin from the equivalent water content map above. This average water content in the basin is used in some National Weather Service river flow models.
ASCII text file of snowpack data: An ASCII text file of the data used in preparing the maps for the current survey.  Includes the site id, site name, site latitude and longitude (in decimal degrees), site elevation (feet above mean sea level), the survey date, and the depth, equivalent water content, and density of the snowpack.

 

Last update: Monday, 27-Oct-2008 15:53:35 EDT